The General Director of Politics and General Government of Ministry of Home Affairs, Bahtiar, stressed the importance of maintaining and nurturing the unity for a better, peaceful, and prosperous Papua. He explained that nurturing the unity of the notion, especially as diverse as Indonesia, is very necessary.
He said the whole nation from all around the world also tried their best to maintain the unity of their nation with their own ways.
“Generally every nation was built with the same principle and intention. First, is by providing a security for its people, second is by giving them a justice system, and the third is making them prosperous,” said Bahtiar on the National Dialogue entitled “Maintaining Unity in Diversity Towards a Peaceful and Prosperous Papua” which was broadcast online through TVRI Papua, Saturday (6/8/2022).
Indonesia, he said, ever since the beginning has put Pancasila as its core in uniting the diversity of Indonesian people. Pancasila become the basis of unity and the reference for the government before making a constitution, state laws, governs, and so on.
However, he still admit that managing the dynamics of society is not an easy task, but the effort in maintaining the unity of the nation should always continue, including viewing the central and regional governments as a unified system.
“Our responsible as the central and regional government is to protect and facilitate all the necessities of the society,” he said.
Meanwhile, another speaker in that National Dialogue, Assistant for the Economy and Welfare of the Regional Secretary of the Papua Province, Muhammad Musa’ad explained, Papua is an area that has various components of society, but all of those element strive for the same thing, a peaceful and prosperous Papua. These elements of society also committed in maintaining security in the community.
“So I thought that what have been said by all the important figure of Papua is amazing, and that becomes the spirit of all elements of society in Papua,” told Musa’ad in the Dialogue
Musa’ad also explained that the harmony of Papuans is good enough, although it’s not perfect. But if we view it as generally, those imperfection is small compared to the good things. Therefore, it is important for the government to maintain and build stronger communication and relationship with the locals.
“It depends on how intense our communication with the community, and also between the community, so that in every chance or momentums such as the events of Independence Day, we can take advantage on that events to build stronger communication with the locals. The participation of the community on that events is also important,” he explained.
On the other hand, a prominent youth from Papua, Steve Rick Elson Mara, who also became the speaker in the National Dialogue, discussed about the young generation of Papua. According to him, currently Papua has seen a demographic shift, marked by the many numbers of productive Papuans. However, not all the youths have the same ideals in building a better Papua.
“The youths have their own ideals. No matter how good the culture, traditions, religions, or government is, if they have their own ideals, they would not be satisfied and will criticize it,” said Mara.
He continued, that Indonesia’s 77th Independence Day could be a moment of reminder for young people to be actively involved in supporting the government in developing the region. They must improve themselves, not being cocky, selfish, and felt like they are the the most capable.
“So indeed this development process must be carried out in all regions in Indonesia and young people must take part on it,” he said.