The History of West Papua Special Autonomy

Law No. 21 of 2001 represented a turning point in Papua and West Papua special autonomy history. This law gives the Papuan provincial administration the authority to regulate the interests of the Papuan people based on their aspirations and fundamental rights. 

As a symbol of the central government’s appreciation to the people of Papua, a law giving special autonomy to the Papua province was created. The continuous conflict that has occurred since 1962 was caused by prior development that did not support the Papuans. 

As a result, Papuans experience a gap in many aspects of life. Because of this conflict, Papua wants to be separated from the NKRI. Law No. 21 of 2001 was created as a type of agreement between the Papuans and the central government in dealing with this long-running conflict. 

This is the basis of Papua’s and West Papua special autonomy history. 

Understanding Special Autonomy for Papua and West Papua 

Prior to the passage of Law No. 21 of 2001, the province of Papua was known as Irian Jaya, and it remains one province today. Following the passage of Law No.21 of 2001, which governs the full delegation of authority to Papua. Papua provinces were divided into west Papua provinces and Papua provinces. As a result, Papua becomes a territory with special autonomy. 

Since that time, Papua and West Papua special autonomy history has begun. 

What is regional autonomy? 

Regional autonomy, according to Law No. 32 of 2004, article 1 number 5, is the right, authority, and obligation of the autonomous area to care for its own people and government in compliance with laws and regulations. With regional autonomy, local communities can be more independent in developing their regional potential. 

In other words, it can cultivate the potential of the region without interference from the central government, with the aim of prospering the people. This is also inspired by the existence of decentralisation. Which refers to the transfer of authority from the centre to the region. Regional autonomy will not be divorced from decentralisations, because they are connected. 

Regional autonomy will allow the area to become self-sufficient in terms of planning, organizing, and managing their particular territories. As a result of which the central government will avoid from interfering with the autonomous region decentralization. 

There are some predicted to have a good impact on development in underdeveloped areas of a country. Regional autonomy for Papua and West Papua According to the Sumule Papua Special Autonomy Assistance Team (2002), the failure of the Indonesian government to provide welfare, prosperity, and recognition of the basic rights of the Papuan people. This is the reason for the development of a special autonomy policy for the Papua Province. For example, the Papuan people’s condition in education, economy, culture, and socio-politics remain concerning. The majority of Papuans still live in the neolithic period. 

Essentially, Papua Otsus is a multidimensional solution to Papua’s problems in the past, present, and future. As a result, the Papua Otsus Law became the formal legal basis for the state delegating special jurisdiction to the government and people of Papua and West Papua. As well as a form of commitment to allocate a number of positive funding sources for the two provinces as stated in Articles 34 to 36 of the Papua Otsus Law. 

This is an opportunity for the governments and people of Papua and West Papua provinces to accelerate processes such as: Acceleration of progress in various sector, both physical and non-physical. Improving the quality of government and public-sector implementation. Development of innovative economic acceleration programs that take account the provinces of Papua and West Papua’s sociocultural, economic, cultural, geographical, and natural resource assets. 

The establishment of the Otsus Law in the provinces of Papua and West Papua provided a solid platform for the government to make adjustments and improvements to past faults. So that Papuans might live in a better. More evolved environment and be treated properly and with dignity in a safe and fear-free environment due to the Papua’s and West Papua special autonomy history. As a result, the proper exploitation of Otsus must be optimized and effective.