The Ministry of Home Affairs, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, pas the Bill of Forming the West Papua Province to be discussed further in the Plenary Meeting. The suggestion was conveyed during the Working Meeting between Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representative with the Chair of Committee I Indonesian Regional Representatives Council, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of National Development Planning, the Minister of Law and Human Rights, and the Head of the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG). The meeting discussed about the Bill in Froming the Province of Southwest Papua.
“Regarding the Bill on Forming the Southwest Papua Province, the government, in principle, agrees to pass it into the decision-making phase,” said the Minister of Home Affairs.
The government, said the Minister of Home Affairs, are very optimistic that the establishment of Southwest Papua Province could accelerate the development in Papua, same goes to the three previous New Autonomous Region of Papua. According to him, the establishment of the new autonomous region could increase the welfare of Papuans and cuts the chain of command in Papua so that the community services could be more efficiently provided by the government.
“And don’t forget about affirmitive action for the locals,” he said.
Tito also explained that the the meeting, that was held in August 30th, 2022, was being followed by the meetings held by Formulating Team and the Synchronization Team on August 31, 2022. Both Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Committee I of the Indonesian House of Representatives, and the government have agreed on the 154 Problem Inventory List (DIM) of the bill. And that’s why the government gave their highest appreciation to the members of Commission II whose involved in the preparation of the draft.
“With an extraordinary commitment, through effective discussion, while still maintain a dynamic democracy so that we can accomplish this task on schedule, today we will take our first step in forming the new region,” he said.
The Southwest Papua Province includes Sorong City, Sorong Regency, South Sorong Regency, Raja Ampat Regency, Maybrat Regency, and Tambrauw Regency, with Sorong City become the capital. The Minister also revealed the aspiration of Fakfak Regency and Kaimana Regency who wants to to be included in Southwest Papua Province.