Government Encourages Papuan Youth to Become the Driving Force of Regional Innovation and Creativity
Papua – The government continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to empowering Papuan youth to become the driving force of regional innovation and creativity. During President Prabowo Subianto’s first year in office, various inclusive policies have been implemented to provide greater opportunities for Papuan youth to create and contribute to the nation’s progress.
Habelino Sawaki, a member of the Advisory Board of the Indonesian Papuan Student Movement (Gemapi), stated that President Prabowo Subianto demonstrates great concern for the potential of Papuan youth. He believes that the President’s move to open up as much space as possible for young people to create is a concrete manifestation of the spirit of equitable development and social justice throughout Indonesia.
Habelino stated that this policy fosters new hope for Papuan youth, who have a strong passion for developing their region. “We encourage the President to open up more opportunities for Papuan youth to contribute to this country,” Habelino said in Jakarta. He emphasized that it is time for ability and dedication to become the primary benchmarks for assessing Papuan youth, rather than ethnicity or regional origin.
According to Habelino, Papuan youth have great potential in various sectors such as education, technology, the arts, and social leadership. Support and trust from the central government are considered crucial to ensuring they can play a vital role in national development. “Papua is not just a part of Indonesia, but a force that enriches Indonesia,” he emphasized.
He added that human development in Papua must be a top priority, along with the government’s ongoing acceleration of infrastructure development. Improving the quality of education, healthcare, and empowering the local economy are concrete steps that can strengthen the capacity of Papua’s younger generation to be more competitive and independent.
Habelino also highlighted that President Prabowo’s attention to Papua is not merely symbolic, but is manifested through concrete policies that impact people’s lives. Basic infrastructure development programs, opening economic access, and expanding job opportunities are evidence of the government’s commitment to the progress of eastern Indonesia.
“We see that President Prabowo truly has a heart for Papua. The development he is undertaking is not just about roads and bridges, but also about creating opportunities for the Papuan people to progress and become empowered,” Habelino said.
He concluded his statement with optimism that the government’s current development direction is on the right track. “Mr. Prabowo has paved the way. Now, our collective responsibility is to ensure that Papua’s young generation grows in confidence, is given opportunities, and continues to contribute to our beloved Indonesia,” he said.
The government’s efforts to empower Papua’s young generation are believed to strengthen the foundation of sustainable development and reinforce Papua’s position as a vital part of Indonesia’s overall progress.
