President Yudhoyono who is to end his tenure next October 20, have deeply been impressed by Papua and West Papua which he described as promising lands for the people of Papua (and West Papua).
"I can see and witness that these lands (of Papua and West Papua) are promising good future. So, the people should not waste Gods bounty," the President said when inaugurating the Christian Evangelism Site on the Mansinam Island, West Papua, on Sunday.
The President said that he had cruised a lot of places in the land of Papua where he often stayed for days and nights such as the districts of Sorong, Manokwari, Wasior, Raja Ampat, Timika, Jayawijaya, Yahukimo, Wamena, Merauke and Jayapura.
Yudhoyono said he could feel his closeness to the people of Papua and West Papua, expressing hope that what the people of Papua had achieved would be maintained and increased in times to come.
"We should honestly carry out development together. The governments of Papua and West Papua, community leaders and political elements should all have common commitment. With that way, from year to year, Papua will gain advancement," he asserted.
On the occasion, President Yudhoyono said that therefore, the people of Papua needed to maintain togetherness, harmony and tolerance as these factors were keys to advancement of Papua.
"If we are solid and strong in these, the life of the people and nation will become tough, secure and peaceful. So, let us all stand in font to develop and advance the peoples life," President Yudhoyono said.
He said that if togetherness, tolerance and harmony disappeared from the land of Papua, it was almost certain that there would be a problem with life.
In the national level, when togetherness and harmony disappeared, then trials would come from God.
Therefore, the President asked all sides to jointly maintain tolerance and harmony in an effort to achieve the development ideals in Papua.
"We want the people of Papua to stand equal to their brothers across the country. Yesterday in Raja Ampat I declared our determination to make progress, build prosperity and improve welfare all together," the President said.
He said that the government continued to allocation budget for the development of Papua and West Papua provinces.
"Every year the budget for the development of Papua and West Papua continued to increase. Budget for special autonomy is set at Rp7 trillion and for infrastructure development at Rp2.5 trillion," Yudhoyono pointed out.
(A014/b003/B003)
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
