After 20 years, the People’s Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia reviewed and revised the Special Autonomy Law implemented in Papua since 2001. The chairman of the special committee Komarudin Watubun described the main focus of the review. due to special autonomy. Revision of Special Autonomy Law is to empower local Papuan communities, including indigenous communities, to increase the positive impact that meets expectations. The positive impact, of course, has to do with how Papuans, especially the Indigenous People of Papua, can develop and survive with all the resources they have. Utilization of natural resources for the greatest possible welfare of the surrounding community.
There are some big changes that affect every aspect. First of all, in the field of education and health. The Special Autonomy Law of Papua aims to provide all Papuans with access to education so that they can continue their education at a higher level. In the health sector, more efforts are being made to improve the health of Papuans. To support better education and health conditions, a review of special autonomy was carried out, increasing the budget for education and health care, which became the responsibility of national, regional and district/city governments to share the budget.
The revision of the Special Autonomy of Papua also covers the areas of employment and economy. More than 10 percent of the government’s revenue distribution funds are earmarked for distribution to indigenous and traditional Papuan communities to support empowerment. Committed to prioritizing indigenous Papuans in employment and economic policies. Including hiring employees and providing funds to support the economy.
The next focus of revision by the Papuan Special Autonomy Law are politics and government. Papuans and women are expected to have government seats. There is the Papuan People’s Representative Council (DPRP), which must be composed of indigenous Papuans, has no political party background and also stipulates that 30% of its members are women. This will increase Papua’s political role on the ground.
in 2021 The revision of the Papua Special Government Act will strengthen the identity of the Indigenous People of Papua. This will address the need for special measures for the Indigenous People of Papua in the fields of politics, education, health, employment and economy, as well as real support for the development of indigenous communities. It is also necessary to tighten the review of the Papua Special Autonomy Law to monitor the use of the Special Autonomy Fund in each district/city so that the funds are properly channeled and meet the needs of the indigenous people of Papua.
The decision to ratify changes to Law no. 21 of 2001 was taken at the 23rd DPR RI plenary session during the V session of the 2020-2021 session year. The hope in the future is of course that the Papua Special Autonomy Law can be truly implemented to achieve prosperity for the Papuan people, both Indigenous Papuans and also indigenous communities, so that they can be empowered.