On the morning of May 12, 2026, the lobby of a hotel in Timika was bustling with activity.
Governors arrived one after another, followed by regents, mayors, heads of regional agencies, and officials from Jakarta, including Special Staff to the Minister of Home Affairs for Village Government and Border Development Hoiruddin Hasibuan. Some greeted each other warmly after months apart. Others walked directly into meeting rooms carrying thick documents and briefing folders.
For much of the day, discussions focused on one issue that has shaped Papua’s political and development landscape for more than two decades: special autonomy, or Otsus.
The meeting brought together leaders from six Papuan provinces to evaluate how Otsus funds have been implemented so far and how future development programs should be directed toward education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic growth.
But beneath the formal agenda, there was also a clear sense of urgency.
Papua is changing administratively, politically, and economically, and many local leaders believe coordination between regions can no longer remain fragmented.
Governors From Across Papua Attend the Forum
The May 12 gathering in Timika involved Papua’s Governor Mathius Fakhiri, Papua Barat’s (West Papua) Governor Dominggus Mandacan, Papua Barat Daya’s (Southwest Papua) Governor Elisa Kambu, Highland Papua’s John Tabo, Papua Selatan’s (South Papua) Governor Apolo Safanpo, and Papua Tengah’s (Central Papua) Governor Meki Frits Nawipa as host, along with several regents, mayors, and regional government institutions from across the island.
Officials from Indonesia’s Ministry of Home Affairs also attended the discussions.
The forum itself was centered on the implementation of Otsus policies and how regional governments should coordinate development planning more effectively following the creation of new provinces in Papua.
Several local leaders described the meeting as important because many development challenges in Papua overlap across administrative borders.
Healthcare access, transportation, education gaps, and infrastructure limitations often affect multiple provinces at once.
Meki Nawipa Urges Leaders to “Set Aside Ego”
A Direct Message During the Meeting
One of the strongest moments during the forum came when Meki Nawipa addressed fellow regional leaders.
Speaking on May 12, Nawipa urged governors, regents, and mayors across Papua to “set aside ego” and focus on unity in developing the region.
“We must think about Papua together,” he said during the meeting, according to local media reports.
The statement drew attention because it reflected concerns that competition between regions could weaken coordination after Papua’s recent administrative expansion.
Several participants nodded while he spoke.
Others quietly took notes.
The atmosphere inside the room remained formal, but the message was clear enough.
Papua’s leaders were being asked to cooperate more closely instead of working separately.
Concerns About Fragmentation
The issue has become more relevant since Indonesia established additional provinces in Papua over the last few years.
Supporters of the policy argued that smaller administrative areas would improve governance and public services. But the expansion also created new bureaucratic structures that still need stronger coordination.
That concern surfaced repeatedly during discussions in Timika.
Officials acknowledged that while regional autonomy gives local governments greater flexibility, cooperation remains essential for larger infrastructure, healthcare, and education programs.
Education, Healthcare, and Infrastructure Become Main Focus
Otsus Funds Under Scrutiny
A large portion of the discussions focused on how Otsus’ funding should be managed more effectively.
The Ministry of Home Affairs representatives reminded regional administrations to use special autonomy funds carefully and ensure they reach communities directly.
Officials stressed that spending should prioritize sectors with immediate public impact, especially education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
This point is significant because public debate surrounding Otsus has intensified in recent years, particularly regarding the equitable distribution of benefits from development programs across Papua.
Infrastructure Still Shapes Daily Life
Infrastructure became one of the most frequently discussed topics throughout the forum.
Despite major construction projects across Papua during the past decade, many districts still face transportation difficulties and uneven public services.
Leaders from several regions raised concerns about high logistics costs, limited road access in remote areas, and healthcare challenges in mountainous districts.
Many participants still viewed infrastructure development as the foundation for broader economic improvement.
Without roads, ports, internet access, and reliable transportation, they argued, other programs would continue facing limitations.
Central Government and Papua Try to Align Policies
Officials from Jakarta also used the meeting to reinforce cooperation between Papua’s regional administrations and the central government.
Representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs emphasized the importance of supervision and accountability in managing Otsus funds.
At the same time, local leaders stressed that Papua’s development programs require flexibility because conditions vary significantly between coastal, urban, and mountainous regions.
The discussions were sometimes technical, focusing on budgets and implementation mechanisms.
But there was also broader political significance behind the meeting.
It reflected efforts to show that development planning in Papua involves coordination rather than confrontation between regional and national institutions.
A Different Tone From Earlier Meetings
Several participants privately described the atmosphere in Timika as more practical than previous forums.
Rather than focusing heavily on political rhetoric, many discussions concentrated on implementation problems and how to accelerate programs already underway.
One local official attending the meeting said the conversation felt “more grounded.”
“There was less talking about concepts and more discussion about what is actually happening in the field,” he said during a break between sessions.
Public Expectations Continue to Grow
The pressure surrounding Otsu’s implementation remains significant.
Communities across Papua increasingly expect development programs to produce visible results, particularly in education access, healthcare quality, employment opportunities, and transportation infrastructure.
That pressure was visible throughout the Timika discussions.
Several regional leaders openly acknowledged that public trust depends on whether development reaches ordinary communities rather than remaining concentrated in administrative centers.
The issue is especially sensitive in remote districts where infrastructure and public services still lag behind urban areas.
Timika Becomes the Center of Discussion
Hosting the meeting in Timika also carried symbolic importance.
The city has increasingly become one of Papua’s important economic and administrative centers, especially after the creation of Central Papua province.
Throughout May 12, security personnel, government vehicles, and delegations moved steadily through the city as discussions continued behind closed doors.
Outside the venue, daily activity continued normally.
But inside, regional leaders were debating issues likely to shape Papua’s development direction for years ahead.
Looking Ahead After the Forum
By late afternoon, several sessions were still continuing.
Participants moved between discussions on budget management, regional coordination, and development priorities.
No major policy announcement emerged immediately from the meeting.
Still, many attendees appeared to agree on one point.
Papua’s development challenges have become too interconnected for provinces and districts to work entirely on their own.
That realization seemed to shape much of the conversation throughout the day.
Conclusion
The May 12 meeting in Timika brought together nearly every major layer of government leadership across Papua.
Governors, regents, mayors, regional agencies, and central government representatives spent hours discussing how special autonomy funding should be managed and how development priorities should move forward.
There were disagreements at times.
There were technical discussions that stretched for hours.
But there was also a visible effort to build coordination at a moment when Papua is undergoing major administrative and political transition.
Whether the forum produces long-term changes will depend on what happens after the meetings end and the delegations return home.
For now, though, the gathering in Timika reflected a growing recognition among Papua’s leaders that cooperation may become just as important as funding itself.