Deputy Interior Minister: Development of New Autonomous Regions in Papua Records Significant Progress

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Interior Minister (Wamendagri) Ribka Haluk has stated that several provinces in Papua have shown significant progress in infrastructure development and strengthening public services, particularly in the new autonomous regions (DOB). Ribka revealed this progress, including in South Papua where government facilities are already operational. Meanwhile, construction in Southwest Papua has been completed. “For Central Papua, the governor’s office is targeted to be finished by December 2026. Meanwhile, the Highlands Papua is still in the planning stage,” said Ribka in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday. She conveyed this after accompanying Vice President (Wapres) Gibran Rakabuming Raka on a working visit to several areas in Papua. The visited districts included Nabire Regency, Mimika Regency, Yahukimo Regency, Sorong Regency, and Raja Ampat Regency from 20-22 April 2026. The visit focused on accelerating infrastructure development and strengthening public services, especially in the DOB areas. This agenda is also part of the government’s efforts to ensure a tangible state presence among the people of Papua. One of the main agendas took place in Yahukimo. Vice President Gibran inspected Yahukimo Christian School to check the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, visited Dekai Regional General Hospital to see health services, and called on the Dekai 1715/06 Koramil. In line with that, Ribka emphasised the government’s commitment to accelerating government infrastructure development in the DOB. She explained that the central government, together with the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) and related ministries, targets all DOBs in Papua to be fully operational by 2028. In addition, supporting infrastructure development such as airports and ports continues to be promoted to strengthen inter-regional connectivity. The Interior Ministry hopes that by 2027, these facilities can be optimally utilised. Port development also receives strategic attention because it has the potential to increase logistics flow while boosting regional income. “With good management, the transportation sector and resource potential in Papua will drive sustainable regional economic growth,” said Ribka. On the other hand, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam) Djamari Chaniago assured that the security situation in Yahukimo is relatively conducive. Regional stability is seen as an important factor in supporting the continuity of development in Papua. He explained that the visit fulfils a commitment that was previously delayed due to urgent agendas that had to be handled in Jakarta. He stated that Vice President Gibran has also noted several facility shortcomings that will be immediately followed up at the central level. The government ensures that field findings will be discussed in a cross-ministerial coordination meeting upon return to Jakarta. “He noted several shortcomings, including reports that will be resolved later in Jakarta. Upon returning from here, there will be a meeting,” said Djamari. The series of visits reaffirms the government’s focus on accelerating equitable development in Papua. These efforts emphasise improvements in basic services, strengthening infrastructure, and security stability as the main foundation of development. Also present in the visit were, among others, Chairman of the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development in Papua Velix Wanggai and Acting Secretary of the Vice President Al Muktabar.