MERAUKE, SOUTH PAPUA – As one of the new provinces resulting from regional expansion in the Land of Papua, South Papua Province will hold its first Regional Head Election in November 2024. Related to this, Vice President K.H. Ma’ruf Amin asked the people of South Papua, especially in Merauke Regency to continue to maintain a conducive political situation, “In less than six months, we will hold simultaneous regional elections. For that, I hope that all Papuans, especially in South Papua Province, can keep the political situation cool and peaceful,” the Vice President said.
Present at this event, among others:
- Acting Governor of South Papua Apolo Safanpo,
- Merauke Regent Romanus Mbaraka,
- Asmat Regent Elisa Kambu,
- Boven Digoel Regent Hengky Yaluwo,
- Acting Regent of Mappi Michael Rooney Gomar,
- Chairman of the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) of South Papua Province Damianus Katayu,
- South Papuan figure Johanes Gluba Gebze,
- South Papuan community leader Frederikus Gebze,
- Asmat Youth Leader or Vice Chairman I of Asmat DPRD Silvester Siforo Biakai,
- Bishop of the Archdiocese of Merauke Petrus Canisius Mandagi,
- Chairman of the South Papua MUI Muhammad Jufri Thamrin,
- All levels of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (FORKOPIMDA) of South Papua Province.
This is important so that the implementation of the South Papua Regional Head Election is not disrupted, for the sake of the sustainability of government and the progress of one of the leading provinces in Indonesia, “thus, the Regional Head Election can run smoothly and produce leaders with integrity who advance South Papua Province,” he said.
During a meeting with the Acting Governor of South Papua, Regents, Traditional Leaders, Religious Leaders, and Community Leaders throughout South Papua at the same location, the Vice President also emphasized that the Regional Head Election is to elect leaders, so it must be carried out honestly, fairly, and without conflict, the Vice President advised candidates who are not elected later to accept the results of the Regional Head Election while maintaining peace and tranquility, “later those elected are expected to be the best. Those who are not elected should accept and not cause hostility, so that there are fires, etc, fights, hostility. This is what we must maintain,” he said.
The Vice President said that through the implementation of this Regional Head Election, the Government wants to build a developed and prosperous Papua, “if it is not peaceful, it will not be developed and prosperous,” he said.
As for peace in the context of Regional Head Elections, the contestants must be heartened, compete fairly, and must be ready to win and lose, “not only ready to win, but not ready to lose. This is the danger. Do not want to lose. That should not happen. That is what makes riots because they are not ready to lose,” said the Vice President.
The Vice President said that his presence in the Land of Papua this time was to see firsthand and ensure that the process of accelerating the development and welfare of the Papuan people, especially in South Papua Province, was going well, “this is a mandate of the law for the state to be continuously present to oversee various Papuan development programs, so that the results can be felt directly by all people in Papua, including in South Papua Province,” he concluded.
