Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Jhon Wempi Wetipo instructed the West Papua provincial government to prepare the budget required for conducting a census on indigenous Papuan people in the province.
Wetipo gave the directive during the 2024 Regional Development Planning Meeting of West Papua Province in Manokwari on Monday.
"The provincial government must ready the budget, so that the census on indigenous Papuans can run successfully," he remarked.
Wetipo explained that the census is held to collect accurate and valid data on the exact number of indigenous Papuan people residing in seven districts of West Papua, namely Manokwari, South Manokwari, Arfak Mountains, Bintuni Bay, Wondama Bay, Kaimana, and Fakfak.
"Data on indigenous Papuan people should be on point, as this matter is related to the allocation of the special autonomy fund," he emphasized.
The deputy minister then suggested that provincial and district governments in West Papua work along with the local offices of Statistics Indonesia (BPS).
Wetipo said he viewed synergy and collaboration between the local governments and BPS as crucial to ensure the smooth running of the census in question.
"You can collaborate with the BPS to conduct a census on indigenous Papuans. The accuracy of data is of the essence," he told local officials.
Meanwhile, Head of West Papua's Empowerment of People and Villages Office Legius Wanimbo remarked that the provincial government had formulated a regulation to support the census.
He said the provincial government is planning to facilitate each district to recruit cadres that will be tasked with executing the census in villages.
"The provincial government will take care of the wage of the cadres," he remarked.
The official further stated that his side had launched SAIK+, a digital app used for collecting data on indigenous Papuan people, several years ago.
He underlined that the census had been started but was halted due to the lack of operation budget for cadres and the need to update the data.
"The need to update the data arose after West Papua was split into two provinces," he explained.
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Wetipo gave the directive during the 2024 Regional Development Planning Meeting of West Papua Province in Manokwari on Monday.
"The provincial government must ready the budget, so that the census on indigenous Papuans can run successfully," he remarked.
Wetipo explained that the census is held to collect accurate and valid data on the exact number of indigenous Papuan people residing in seven districts of West Papua, namely Manokwari, South Manokwari, Arfak Mountains, Bintuni Bay, Wondama Bay, Kaimana, and Fakfak.
"Data on indigenous Papuan people should be on point, as this matter is related to the allocation of the special autonomy fund," he emphasized.
The deputy minister then suggested that provincial and district governments in West Papua work along with the local offices of Statistics Indonesia (BPS).
Wetipo said he viewed synergy and collaboration between the local governments and BPS as crucial to ensure the smooth running of the census in question.
"You can collaborate with the BPS to conduct a census on indigenous Papuans. The accuracy of data is of the essence," he told local officials.
Meanwhile, Head of West Papua's Empowerment of People and Villages Office Legius Wanimbo remarked that the provincial government had formulated a regulation to support the census.
He said the provincial government is planning to facilitate each district to recruit cadres that will be tasked with executing the census in villages.
"The provincial government will take care of the wage of the cadres," he remarked.
The official further stated that his side had launched SAIK+, a digital app used for collecting data on indigenous Papuan people, several years ago.
He underlined that the census had been started but was halted due to the lack of operation budget for cadres and the need to update the data.
"The need to update the data arose after West Papua was split into two provinces," he explained.
Related news: Southwest Papua to facilitate native Papuans to study in Japan
Related news: Deputy minister outlines three strategic issues in Papua in 2023-2024
Translator: Fransiskus S, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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