We are thankful since from the onset, President Jokowi begins his second leadership term by visiting several areas in Papua and West PapuaJayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Young Papuan generation’s 3,500 members joined a roll call and cultural parade at Swakarsa Field, Arso Sub-district, Keeron, Monday, coinciding with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and top government officials’ visit to Papua and West Papua.
"We hope President Jokowi would be able to join the roll call and cultural parade," Chairman of the event's organizing committee, Leo Hilman, told journalists in Jayapura, the capital city of Papua Province, on Sunday evening.
Attendees at the roll call and cultural parade, held to mark this year's Youth Pledge Day, were youngsters representing various customary communities and ethnic groups in the province. They will wear diverse traditional clothing, he stated.
Participants at this event will also hoist a 2,500-meter-long Red-and-White Flag and read out a youth pledge, he revealed.
Deputy West Papua Governor Mohamad Lakotani had earlier remarked that President Jokowi and his entourage were scheduled to visit Manokwari, the capital city of West Papua Province, and Pegunungan Arfak District.
On Monday (Oct 28), President Jokowi continues his working visit to Wamena, the capital city of Jayawijaya District, in Papua Province.
"We are thankful since from the onset, President Jokowi begins his second leadership term by visiting several areas in Papua and West Papua. Of course, we have several agenda items that we can propose to Mr. President," he remarked.
Meanwhile, Pegunungan Arfak District Head Yosias Saroy stated that during President Jokowi’s working visit, he had suggested to accelerate the completion of road and bridge construction projects.
"The status of the Prafi-Minyambouw-Anggi-Anggi Gida-Ransiki Road Section needs to be increased to be a national road since it connects the districts of Manokwari, Pegunungan Arfak, and Manokwari Selatan," he emphasized.
Related news: Jokowi pledges to build market and roads in Arfak, West Papua
He also expressed keenness to appeal to the president to prioritize the development of human resources and expedite the construction of public hospital and health centers as well as boarding schools in his district.
In boosting the tourism industry, Saroy plans on also drawing President Jokowi’s attention to the construction of Snomeba Anggi Airport and development of tourist destinations and coffee plantation.
Papua and West Papua have come under the radar of both the Indonesian and foreign media after a spate of violence broke out in several parts of these two Indonesian provinces in August and September 2019. Related news: President Jokowi pays great attention to Papua
Related news: Papua's security situation under control before Jokowi's visit: Police
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Alfian R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
