Deputy Interior Minister Urges Synergy to Build Central Government Hub in Highland Papua

Deputy Interior Minister (Wamendagri) Ribka Haluk stated that the development of the central government area for Papua Pegunungan Province must be accelerated through strengthened coordination across ministries and local governments (Pemda). To this end, local governments are urged to comprehensively understand the technical guidance from the Ministry of Public Works (PU), particularly on several crucial aspects. These aspects include timelines, linkages with the master plan, and potential changes. This was conveyed by Ribka during an online Joint Meeting with the Deputy Minister of Public Works (PU) to Discuss Progress on the Development of the Central Government Area of Papua Pegunungan Province, on Friday (10/4). “First, regarding timelines. Second, related to the master plan. Third, if there are any changes. These must also be noted as truly crucial points,” said Ribka. Ribka emphasised the importance of alignment between local government steps and the policies and stages set by the Ministry of PU. She also reminded that all processes should proceed in accordance with applicable provisions and mechanisms. “So please, Mr. Head of Department, technically follow the stages requested by Mrs. Deputy Minister of PU very carefully,” she added. According to Ribka, another important matter is the agreement on the location for building several strategic government offices in Papua Pegunungan, particularly the Majelis Rakyat Papua (MRP) office and Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Papua (DPRP). Location certainty is deemed crucial to ensure development stages can proceed on time and in line with planning mechanisms and applicable budgets. “Mr. Secretary General and Mr. Governor can take responsibility for agreeing on the coordinates for the MRP office and DPR (Papua Pegunungan) office development,” said Ribka. On the same occasion, Deputy Minister of PU Diana Kusumastuti stated that the architectural design concept for the government office area in Papua Pegunungan has been completed in December 2025. Next, strengthened coordination across ministries/institutions is needed, including with the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) and the Ministry of Finance, to ensure alignment in planning and budgeting. “We start with the strategic area infrastructure planning document that refers to the results of yesterday’s coordination meeting visit, followed up by the Directorate General of Cipta Karya, and of course together with Kemendagri and the Provincial Government,” said Diana. The meeting was also attended by Acting (Pj.) Regional Secretary of Papua Pegunungan Wasuok Demianus Siep, Head of Provincial PUPR Office of Papua Pegunungan Tunggul Wijaya Pangabean, Head of Subdirectorate for Region II of the Directorate of Building Layout (BPB) of the Directorate General of Cipta Karya Indah Widi Hapsari, and Director of Local Government Affairs Synchronisation (SUPD) II of the Directorate General of Regional Development Suprayitno.