The MPR has urged the government to urgently take firm and calculable measures to normalize security conditions in Papua.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has asked the government to take concrete and firm measures to normalize security conditions and optimize regional autonomy in Papua.

"The MPR has urged the government to urgently take firm and calculable measures to normalize security conditions in Papua," MPR Speaker Bambang Soesatyo said here on Tuesday.

Soesatyo conveyed the demand along with members of the “MPR For Papua” forum during a meeting with Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD.

He also urged the government to optimize the dissemination of policies agreed upon within the regional autonomy framework and Papua's special autonomy fund.

"The agreement on regional autonomy and the special autonomy fund dictates free education and healthcare for the Papuan people. It must also be concurrent with efforts to improve education and healthcare facilities, as well as the quality of human resources and teachers there. This is the main issue of our discussion," Soesatyo said.

Meanwhile, on the same occasion, Mahfud said that the meeting with Soesatyo—which was also joined by MPR Deputy Speaker Fadel Muhammad and “MPR For Papua” forum head Yorrys Raweyai—was held to discuss Papua’s development following the passing of Law No. 2 of 2021 on Special Autonomy in Papua.

Some short-term issues discussed at the meeting covered the preparation of government infrastructures and the development of new autonomous regions.

Preparations for the 2024 General Elections in the new Papuan provinces of South Papua, Central Papua, Highland Papua, and Southwest Papua were also discussed at the meeting.

One of the long-term issues touched upon at the meeting was education. It was also agreed that another comprehensive meeting will be organized in the next two weeks to follow up on the meeting’s results.

Related news: New Papua provinces ensured to participate in elections: VP
Related news: VP Amin calls on TNI commander to maintain Papua's security
Related news: Southwest Papua establishment bolsters development: KSP

Translator: Tri Meilani A, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2023