"Papua has a great sea, so (through this ceremony,) we invite youth to interpret the Youth Pledge Day by participating in preserving the underwater nature," Wetipo remarked.
During the underwater ceremony, he was accompanied by the Commander of Navy Base X of Jayapura, Brigadier General Feriyanto Marpaung; Papua Water Police Directorate’s Senior Commissioner Andi Anugra; and the diver community.
The underwater ceremony involved the raising of the national flag at Tandjung Kayu Batu, Jayapura, at a depth of 12 meters, and saw participation from 63 divers.
Wetipo said that the underwater ceremony aimed to invite youth in Papua to participate in preserving marine life in the region.
He also invited young people in Papua to use their youth well and not be easily provoked by ideas that go against the Republic of Indonesia.
"Now is the age of digitalization; it is hoped that young people will take advantage of technological advances with positive things and not old-fashioned minds that can trouble themselves," the deputy minister emphasized.
Wetipo, the former district head of Jayawijaya, said he expects that the Papua young generation will continue to develop themselves with knowledge and be willing to work hard since the new autonomous regions (DOB) in Papua have been established. Under the DOB Law, Papua will be expanded into three provinces and a lot of new workers will be needed in the provinces.
Papuan youth must be able to fill these employment needs and have the same competency as the young people out there, he said.
According to him, it is time for Papuan youth to become heads instead of subordinates. For this reason, on Youth Pledge Day, he said he expected all components of the nation's youth to unite in building Papua and Indonesia.
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Translator: Evarukdijati, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
