"We have been given an assignment of five years. In the beginning, we will go directly to each district to find out aspirations for the priority programs," BP3OKP member representing the Papua Highland Province, Hantor Matuan, informed after being inaugurated by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin at the Vice Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Monday.
Matuan said that his party will discuss and formulate the results of these aspirations and then report to Amin, who is the chairperson of the BP3OKP.
"Every three months, we must report the progress to the Vice President; then he will forward it to the President. The President will then direct the ministers to solve the problems," he added.
He said that the problems witnessed in Papua, especially the Papua Highland Province, are welfare issues. His party will try to build peace in Papua and seek to improve people's welfare by absorbing people’s aspirations in accordance with the Vice President's directive.
"We will become strategic partners with officials there, such as governors and district heads, to improve the welfare of indigenous Papuans, target development in education, health, and infrastructure sectors. Those are our priorities," he added.
Meanwhile, acting governor of Papua Highland, Nikolaus Kondomo, said that the issue in his region pertains to human resources who are lacking in understanding and are easily influenced by irresponsible parties.
He added that the development of infrastructure, especially roads, is also necessary to improve the welfare of his people. He said he hopes that the central government will prepare more specific programs on development for Papua.
Earlier on Monday, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, as chairperson of the BP3OKP, inaugurated six BP3OKP members: Alberth Yoku as Papua representative, Irene Manibuy as West Papua representative, Yoseph Yanowo Yolmen as South Papua representative, Pietrus Waine as Central Papua representative, Hantor Matuan as Papua Highland representative, and Otto Ihalauw as Southwest Papua representative.
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Translator: Rangga Pandu A J, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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