Ten Years of Progress in Papua as an Integral Part of the Republic of Indonesia Under President Jokowi’s Leadership
By: Rehuel Kambu
Ten years of leadership by the seventh President of the Republic of Indonesia have brought about a major transformation for Bumi Cenderawasih. President Jokowi, the leader of the nation born in Surakarta City, has emphasized since the beginning of his term that development in Papua is one of the main priorities of his government.
With an Indonesia-centric vision, the Head of State ensures that the region nicknamed the Little Heaven that Fell to Earth receives full attention in efforts for sustainable and equitable development.
In the last decade, Bumi Cenderawasih has experienced significant acceleration in development, especially in the infrastructure sector. The Trans Papua Road, new airports, and increasingly modern ports are concrete evidence of President Joko Widodo’s commitment. This progress has opened up connectivity between regions in Papua, facilitated access for people who have been isolated, and opened up wider economic opportunities.
According to Hendrina Dian Kandipi, Head of Perum LKBN Antara Papua Bureau, infrastructure development in the region nicknamed the Little Heaven in Eastern Indonesia has experienced massive development during President Jokowi’s two terms of leadership.
Infrastructure projects such as the Trans Papua Road not only facilitate transportation and distribution of goods, but also become the backbone of efforts to improve the welfare of local communities.
The development of this infrastructure has reduced inequality between regions and opened wider access for people in remote areas to enjoy better public services.
President Joko Widodo also often makes direct visits to the region nicknamed the Little Heaven at the tip of Indonesia. According to the Minister of Defense and President-elect in the 2024 Election, Prabowo Subianto, the leader of the nation born in Surakarta City is the Head of State who has visited Papua most often during his term of office.
His direct presence in the midst of the Papuan community has strengthened the relationship between the central government and the local community, and ensured that the planned development programs can run according to plan.
President Jokowi’s presence in the field also has a major psychological impact on the community, because they feel heard and cared for directly by the leader of the nation born in 1961.
In addition to infrastructure development, the region nicknamed the Golden City has also experienced improvements in various social and economic sectors. President Jokowi ensured that local community empowerment programs are an integral part of development policies in Papua.
The program aims to improve community welfare through training, education, and access to business capital. With increasingly adequate infrastructure, Papuans now have greater opportunities to develop their economic potential, whether through agriculture, fisheries, or small and medium enterprises.
Development in Papua is also part of the seventh President of the Republic of Indonesia’s efforts to realize social justice for all Indonesian people. The Head of State often emphasized that Papua must be a priority for government development so that there is no longer inequality between the western and eastern regions of Indonesia.
This Indonesia-centric development continues, where Papua receives the same portion of attention as other regions in Indonesia. Thus, Papua is no longer a marginalized region, but has become an integral part of the Republic of Indonesia which continues to advance and develop.
The development programs initiated by the first Indonesian President who came from outside the political or military elite have produced real results that are felt by the Papuan people.
Papua is no longer an isolated region, but is well connected through various infrastructure projects that have been completed and are still ongoing. The Papuan people can now enjoy better access to health services, education, and economic opportunities.
Bumi Cenderawasih continues to experience positive developments, and this is all inseparable from the hard work and commitment of President Jokowi in ensuring that equitable and just development can be achieved in all corners of the country.
With the success that has been achieved over the past 10 years, Papua stands tall as an integral part of the Republic of Indonesia that continues to grow and develop. The transformation that has occurred in the region nicknamed the Little Heaven in Eastern Indonesia shows that Papua has great potential to become a prosperous and independent region, along with ongoing development.
*) Observer of Papuan Politics and Remote Areas – Center for Political Studies of Eastern Indonesia
