Deputy Interior Minister Ribka Explains Management of Papua's Special Autonomy Funds in DPR
Deputy Interior Minister of the Republic of Indonesia (Wamendagri) Ribka Haluk explained the management of special autonomy funds (Otsus) for Papua during a Working Meeting and Hearing (RDP) with Commission II of the DPR RI.
The meeting discussed Otsus for Papua, Otsus for Aceh, and the Special Status of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) in the Commission II Meeting Room of the DPR RI, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta.
In her presentation, Ribka emphasised that Otsus funds are an important instrument in accelerating development in Papua. To date, various programmes funded by Otsus have been implemented, such as the provision of scholarships, improvements in education facilities, and health services.
However, these achievements have not yet been fully documented and integrated well into a comprehensive system.
“Providing overseas and domestic scholarships. This is one part of the programme mandated by the Special Autonomy Law,” said Ribka, in a written statement on Tuesday (14/4/2026).
“Then funding for school repairs, funding for teachers. Then health, many community health centres have also been funded from special autonomy funds. But today the issue is perhaps we haven’t prepared the data yet,” she continued.
Ribka went on to say that the government, through synergy between the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu), and the Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas), has developed a data interoperability system to improve the effectiveness of budget management.
The system integrates various platforms, with the hope that it will enhance transparency and accountability in the use of Otsus funds.
“A good country certainly starts from data. Currently, the President has also instructed, and perhaps in the DPR there is already a working group for One Data Indonesia,” said Ribka.
“We are trying, and all ministries are building coordination,” she added.
Through this system integration, it is hoped that the management of Otsus funds will become more transparent, accountable, and measurable. Ribka also emphasised the importance of joint efforts between the central government and regions in improving the governance of Otsus funds.
According to Ribka, the spirit of Otsus is part of the reform spirit that emerged from the critical awareness of Papuan society regarding developmental backwardness. Otsus emerged as a solution to address those challenges.
“The content of the Special Autonomy Law is then implemented, one of which is affirmation for Indigenous Papuans, improvement in HDI, and a number of other major authorities that have been granted,” she concluded.