Bamsoet Discusses National Stability, Calls for Equitable Development in Papua
Indonesian Presidential Advisory Council member Bambang Soesatyo (Bamsoet) has spoken about the importance of strengthening President Prabowo Subianto’s efforts to maintain national political, legal and security stability. He also raised the issue of equitable national development in Papua.
Bamsoet made the remarks after attending a meeting of the council’s Political, Legal and Security Affairs division in Jakarta on Wednesday (21 October). He said government policies must be well targeted and coordinated.
“President Prabowo’s administration is strongly committed to maintaining national stability while improving people’s welfare. That commitment needs to be continually strengthened through well-targeted and coordinated policies. In Papua in particular, a humanitarian approach, dialogue and equitable development must be priorities, so that people increasingly feel the state’s presence and can enjoy safe, peaceful and prosperous lives,” Bamsoet said in a statement on Thursday (22 October 2026).
The 15th Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly said the government had laid important foundations for accelerating development in Papua through special autonomy policies, infrastructure development and stronger public services. Under Law No. 2 of 2021, he said, the allocation for special autonomy funds was increased to 2.25 per cent of the national ceiling for the General Allocation Fund.
Statistics Indonesia recorded a poverty rate of 27.21 per cent in Highland Papua in September 2025. The effectiveness of special autonomy funds therefore needs to be strengthened through results-based oversight, better education and healthcare, economic empowerment for Indigenous communities, and basic infrastructure reaching remote areas.
“The government’s efforts to develop Papua need to be further strengthened by ensuring that every programme is genuinely felt by the community. Special autonomy funds must be used more effectively to improve schools, expand healthcare services, create jobs and develop the local economy. Dialogue with Indigenous leaders, religious figures, young people and the people of Papua should also be expanded. In this way, security, public trust and welfare can grow together,” Bamsoet said.
Bamsoet said a stronger welfare-focused approach in Papua must go hand in hand with the protection of civilians and professional law enforcement. He said people should experience the benefits of development and be treated fairly under the law as efforts are made to maintain security stability.
“Political and security stability will be stronger when people feel the benefits of development and receive fair treatment under the law. The government’s efforts to strengthen legal reform, combat corruption and improve public services therefore need continued support through measurable oversight. We must ensure every policy brings tangible change, from faster services and legal certainty to greater public trust in the state,” Bamsoet said.
The Golkar Party deputy chairman said the government must be prepared to face cyber threats. Bamsoet said standards for securing vital electronic systems should be raised, with regular audits and coordination among the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN), the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), the National Police, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi).
“The government needs to strengthen early detection and rapid responses to various national threats. Cybersecurity, energy availability, food stability and the protection of strategic infrastructure must be managed in an integrated way. With clear divisions of responsibility and technological support, the government can prevent disruption at an early stage and keep public services and economic activity running smoothly,” he added.