Jakarta (ANTARA) – A report book documenting the commitment and achievements of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in accelerating regional development in the provinces of Papua and West Papua was released by the Presidential Office (KSP) on Wednesday.
The report book themed ‘Powerful Indonesia, Growing Indonesia’, which records the government’s achievements in 2021, marks two years of the Jokowi-Ma’ruf Amin administration.
The book states that the successful convening of the 20th National Games has given Papua a new face and removed the stigma of backwardness on the land of the Cenderawasih (bird-of-paradise).
It further describes the convening of the PON and the 26th National Para Games (Peparnas) as a “new resurrection of eastern Indonesia”.
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Papua has lately attracted the media spotlight as the host of this year’s PON National Games and National Para Games (Peparnas).
The PON took place in Jayapura city and the districts of Jayapura, Mimika, and Merauke from October 2 to October 15 this year, while Peparnas will be held from November 2 to November 15.
At least 6,400 athletes and 3,500 officials from 34 provinces across Indonesia participated in Papua’s PON National Games, which featured 37 events.
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Meanwhile, 1,935 athletes and 740 officials will take part in the National Para Games in Jayapura city and Jayapura district. The games will feature 12 events.
According to the report book, Papua has opened the eyes of Indonesians to its cultural richness, sportsmanship, and empowerment of human resources.
Papua has also highlighted the importance of a peaceful and prosperous life, the book states and emphasizes the significance of human capital development for Papua’s better future.
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The central government is well aware that the key to Papua’s future is in the hands of its healthy and smart young generation, according to the book. Therefore, their education must be guaranteed, it adds.
The report book reveals that the Jokowi-Ma’ruf Amin administration has secured the implementation of accelerated regional development in Papua through Presidential Instruction No.9/2020.
The government’s commitment to accelerating regional development in the provinces of Papua and West Papua is also mandated by Law No.2 of 2021 on the Second Amendment of Papua Special Autonomy, it states.
The bill amending the Papua Special Autonomy Law No. 21 of 2001 that Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) enacted during a plenary session on July 15, 2021 affirms special conditions for Papua’s development, it adds.
ANTARA has reported earlier that the bill accommodates 18 revised chapters and two new chapters.
It accommodates the need to regulate the privileges of indigenous Papuans in the political, education, health, labor, and economic sectors, as well as support for customary communities.
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It offers more room for native Papuans to get involved in politics and in organizations, such as the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) and Papua legislative councils (DPRK) in districts and cities.
The bill reserves at least 250 seats for native Papuans at the district- and city-level Papua legislative councils (DPRK) and 30 percent of DPRK seats for native Papuan women.
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