Alvin Darlanika Soedarjo, Jakarta – An independent NGO, the Papua Working Group in Jakarta, said a revision of the Papua Special Autonomy Law was insignificant and that the Papuan administration needed a solid and transparent plan to prioritize development and channel progression funds properly.
The special autonomy law was expected to maximize the implementation of funding channeled to Papua through several political elites to ensure the ongoing development of the area.
"What the central government should do is make an evaluation and create a transparent blueprint of allocation implementation," Papua Working Group in Jakarta member Amiruddin Al Rahab said at a public discussion Friday.
But Amiruddin said prior to designing the blueprint, the government should assess the progress of Papua's autonomy, which is just five years old.
The working group said trillions of rupiah had been allocated over five years but that physical developments were scant. The Home Affairs Ministry still perceives Papua as the same as other provinces, he said.
"The government needs to improve communication with the local administrations in Papua. Strengthening their level of trust and the understanding of technical regulations also matters."
He said the expansion of regencies in the area added a complexity to the local administration's job and that synchronizing Jakarta and Papua was tough task.
"They should confirm that in the following decade there won't be any new establishment of regencies in Papua – so that in development can be boosted in crucial sectors."
One idea floated was to encourage and prepare Papuan students to pursue their graduate education abroad – in the US, England or Australia.
"Their aspirations for freedom can be achieved within this republic if they receive adequate educational and health support, including ample stocks of medicine," said Amiruddin.
Lawmaker Ferry Mursyidan Baldan from the Golkar Party faction said the House of Representatives had no plan to revise the Papua Special Autonomy Law, through which it was supposed to disburse Rp 3.29 trillion (about US$355 million) in 2007.
"We see that the law is yet to be optimal in its implementation," Ferry said. "Legislators need to examine where exactly the problem lies," he said, adding sharing the budget evenly among regencies would not solve the problem.
Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) coordinator Teten Masduki said in preventing corruption or solving human rights issues, Papua still needed external assistance. "Local elites have benefited from budget misallocation," he said.
Teten said in order to solve misallocation problems, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) needed to form regional branch offices in Papua.
"If there are misallocations of funds or deviations in implementation, then KPK can quickly probe the case based on the existing law," Teten said.