Jakarta – Vice President Ma’ruf Amin will soon begin working from an office Papua on 4 September 2023. He will immediately begin looking for solutions to various issues that have plagued Papua all this time, particularly issues related to welfare and security.
“Yes, not just this time, I have been to Papua twice before. The first was for five days, the second was for a week of travelling all over Papua. This will be the third time,” said the Vice President in his official remarks after attending an event in Cirebon, West Java on Saturday (26/8/2023).
According to the Vice President, the Government would like to hear from various parties including religious and traditional groups, local government, as well as women and youths in order to develop Papua and resolve the problems it faces.
“This time, I will focus more on listening to various parties, whether they are religious and traditional leaders, our local governments, women’s groups, youth groups. Basically, we will hear from local champions about the problems faced there that I’ve always maintained we will resolve,” the Vice President said.
The Vice President used the metaphor of scratching an itch to resolve problems in Papua. Furthermore, to resolve issues related to welfare and security will require going to the places where they need to be handled. Previously, the Vice President stated that only six areas have the potential for conflict, and not the entire region of Papua.
“So, we will scratch the itch. We will ask where it itches. Let’s not start scratching in the wrong places, which will end up not resolving the problem,” he said.
In addition, the Vice President affirmed that there is no option for independence for Papua. To this day, many groups including the Free Papua Organization and Armed Criminal Groups have disturbed security, wishing for an independent Papua.
“Except for independence. It is not a choice. Other than that, we can have dialogue and we will find solutions for Papua, and the Papuan people,” he added.
West Papua Now 