DPD Deputy Speaker Yorrys Urges Papua Special Autonomy to Be Measured by Benefits for the People
Deputy Speaker of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI), Yorrys Raweyai, has highlighted the importance of ensuring that Papua’s Special Autonomy (Otsus) genuinely benefits the people. According to him, the success of Otsus cannot be measured solely by the size of the budget, but rather by the benefits felt by the people of Papua.
Yorrys made the remarks in response to the opening address by DPD RI Speaker Sultan Baktiar Najamudin during the Joint Session of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) and the DPD RI at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday (14/8).
“I agree that Papua’s Special Autonomy must be safeguarded together. The measure of its success is not merely how large the budget allocated is, but the extent to which the people feel its benefits through education, health, the economy, infrastructure, and the protection of indigenous communities,” Yorrys said at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, in a written statement on Saturday (15/8/2026).
He stressed that indigenous communities must be positioned as the subjects of development. Every policy and programme in Papua must take into account the characteristics, identity, history, and rights of local communities.
“Development must not erase the identity of the Papuan people. Indigenous communities must be involved and become a key part in determining the direction of development in their regions,” he said.
He urged that the management of Otsus funds be carried out in a targeted and transparent manner so that the budget is truly translated into public services, human development, and improved welfare.
He also assessed that development in Papua must proceed in tandem with the resolution of security and humanitarian issues. Various development projects, including national strategic projects, need to be carried out with a wise and dialogical approach, and must involve local communities so as not to create a sense of injustice.
“Papua cannot be viewed solely through economic growth figures. There are issues of security, humanitarian concerns, education, health, poverty, and basic services that must be addressed simultaneously. We want development to be a solution, not to create new problems,” he asserted.
He considered that the DPD RI holds a strategic position to ensure that the voices of the Papuan people are incorporated into national policy. According to him, regional aspirations must be consolidated and followed up through institutional work, including through the Papua Special Committee (Pansus Papua).
“The Papua Special Committee must serve as a space to listen directly to the people, observe problems on the ground, and produce concrete recommendations. We must not only identify problems, but must also seek solutions,” he said.
He stressed that the message delivered by the DPD RI Speaker during the Joint Session must be translated into a shared commitment to strengthen Otsus as an instrument of justice and welfare for the people of Papua.
“Otsus must not be strong only on paper but weak in the benefits felt by the people. Justice for Papua is part of justice for Indonesia. We want to build Papua together with the Papuan people, for the welfare of the Papuan people, within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” he concluded.