JAYAPURA, – After the meeting with Wiranto, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs in Jakarta on Monday (23/4/2018), the Ambassador of Solomon Islands to Indonesia HE Salana Kalu led a delegation to visit Papua Province on Tuesday (24/4).
For two days in Jayapura City, the delegation visited Indonesia-PNG border, saw the construction of the Papuan stadium in Kampung Harapan Jayapura and Hamadi-Holtekamp bridge. The construction of the new stadium and the bridge is part of Papua’s preparation to host National Sport Event called Pekan Olahraga Nasional (National Sport Weeks) in 2020.
“So, the Ambassador of Solomon Islands together with the delegation, for two days in Jayapura, they were satisfied and appreciated to the Government of Indonesia for the great attention to Papua,” acting Governor of Papua Soedarmo told reporters on Wednesday (25/4/18).
According to Soedarmo, Papua is now open to anyone. Even the development undertaken by the Government of Indonesia in 29 districts / cities are running well.
“The development undertaken by the government of Joko Widodo-Jusuf Kalla in various aspects. Ambassador of Solomon and his entourage were very satisfied with the existing development. I have explained the development program built by the Indonesian government, and to prove it, the Ambassador and entourage went straight to the field to check by themself what I explained,” he said.
The former Acting Governor of Aceh added that the information told by the Government of Indonesia to the Ambassador that made the Ambassador came to Papua to see closely, what had Government built in Papua as well as other provinces in Indonesia.
However, Soedarmo said there are still groups from the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) and other groups, who continue to vocalize the freedom movement in Papua.
Soedarmo said many information related to development in Papua is diverted. The government is trying to build Papua for the better. “They (the delegation) are amazed by the development in Papua, now the government gives great attention, in fact, President Jokowi has visited Papua for nine times,” he said.
He continued, the Indonesian government knows there are groups that always provide false information about Papua to the countries in the Pacific region. Yes, it’s a group like ULMWP and KNPB, they are disturbing the political, security, and economic stability in Papua,” he asserted.
In addition, Soedarmo opened himself to dialogue with the groups. Therefore, the government does not forbid to criticize, but if the critics are constructive.
“I am ready to talk, anytime, with KNPB, ULMWP, me as acting governor ready to dialogue. But dialogue on how we develop Papua together in the future. I am also ready for informal dialogue, may be in a cafe, it doesn’t have to be in the office,” he said.
Source: pacificpos.com
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