Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – Papuan voters have expressed a desire for young indigenous legislative candidates to represent them at a provincial level and address the major issues of poverty, education, transport and health afflicting the area, as well speed up special-autonomy programs in the region over the next five years.
Tired and frustrated with the seasoned politicians running for candidacy, and those coming from other provinces to contend for a seat, Papuans favor indigenous candidates with a fresh approach and concrete programs addressing the issues of rights and better welfare.
"We no longer support these 'political adventurers' contributing nothing to the province during their time at the House of Representatives and provincial legislatures. The major parties have informed us of these new young figures contending the legislative election," Mama Mince Kambu, an areca nut seller, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
She said she knew how to vote correctly and already had in mind the names of the legislative candidates she would elect for the House, the provincial legislature, the Jayapura city council and the Regional Representative Council.
Buce Komboy, an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver, said the next five years should be a new era for the House and provincial legislature which should bring real change to the livelihood of the Papuan people.
"We want to live better, get free healthcare and no longer be uncertain of whether we will eat tomorrow or be able to afford our children's school costs," he said.
Budi Setyanto, executive director of the Institute of Civil Strengthening, said he would cast his vote for legislators committed to coping with the poverty, backward systems and poor health in Papua, and would support those speeding up the implementation of special-autonomy programs that promise change in the province.
"The provincial legislature is in dire need of fresh, talented councilors to pass special bylaws granting the full implementation of special-autonomy measures," he said.
The legislators who win seats in the upcoming elections, Budi said, should address concerns over the great number of families living in poverty and the problems of poor sanitation, education and high level of school dropouts.
"Special autonomy has brought many changes to the livelihood of local elite groups, including government officials and legislators."
Budi said one of the major problems facing the province was the high unemployment rate, limited public access to clean water and the widening gap between indigenous people and migrants from Java and Sulawesi.
Young legislative candidates vowed to address the social problems in the province if they were elected in the legislative elections.
Rustam Husaid Renwarin said the poor conditions afflicting the province would be a key concern of his if he were elected legislator of the Reformed Demoratic Party (PDP) in the city council.
Rifai Darus, a 32-year-old legislative candidate from the Democratic Party, said he would be fighting for the issuance of 25 bylaws addressing major problems and fighting for improvement of people's social welfare under special autonomy programs.