Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – Dozens of people claiming to be residents of remote villages in Papua rallied at Cenderawasih University in Jayapura on Monday, where almost 2,000 applicants took a written test to become professional supervisors in the Villagers Empowerment and Development Program.
The protesters claimed they could not apply because the Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Ministry only accepted online applications, while their villages did not have internet access yet.
"We suggest that the minister also accept offline applications to accommodate applicants like us who live in remote areas, especially in the Central Mountains, where internet is not available yet," said Danius Wenda from Lanny Jaya.
According to him, there are many youths in the La Pago, Mee Pago and Saireri indigenous areas who hold bachelor degrees and are eligible to apply but unable to because they do not have access to the internet.
"It is a shame to see many local youths in remote regions who have decent capabilities but are jobless," he said.
The head of Papua's Villagers Empowerment Agency, Donatus Mote, echoed the concern. "The protesters' concerns should be taken into account. We have difficulty getting a cellular signal in those remote areas, let alone the internet," he said.
A total of 1,937 applicants took the written test on Monday to fill 634 vacant posts for the professional supervisor position. (bbs)