Gibran: Development in Papua Requires a Peaceful Situation
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka visited Manokwari, West Papua, on Saturday, 20 June 2026. While visiting the easternmost part of the country, Gibran spoke about the necessity of a peaceful situation for development.
Gibran shared his views during the opening ceremony of the 2026 National Church Choir Festival in Manokwari. In his address, the son of former President Joko Widodo stated that the government continues to strive for equitable development across Indonesia, including in Papua.
However, he noted that development is difficult to execute if the situation is not conducive. “However, in carrying out development, a conducive and peaceful situation is required,” Gibran said, as quoted by the Antara News Agency.
The former Mayor of Solo stated that development is no longer concentrated solely on Java but is also being implemented in other regions. He cited examples in Papua, such as the development of hospital projects, the Trans-Papua Highway, People’s Schools, Fishing Villages, and the provision of free nutritious meals (MBG).
He expressed hope that these various government programmes could reduce disparities between regions in the country. Gibran also stated that the government aims to expand access and improve the welfare of the Papuan people.
The Papua region has long been known as one of the conflict zones in Indonesia. Militias such as the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) continue to conduct guerrilla warfare against Indonesian authority in Papua, while the Indonesian government deploys military and police forces.
Vice President Gibran is visiting several provinces in eastern Indonesia this week. During his working visits to East Nusa Tenggara, Gorontalo, and Papua from 18–21 June 2026, Gibran brought along five students from various universities.
These students include Daffa Ulhaq from the University of Indonesia, Keletus Sakaro from Sanata Dharma University, Nolan Christopher Adam from Pelita Harapan University, Salsabila Maulida from the Indonesian Institute of the Arts, and Rapid Bena Martin from Jenderal Soedirman University.
Gibran stated that the involvement of students is part of an effort to strengthen oversight regarding the implementation of the free nutritious meal programme and the Red and White Village Cooperative (Koperasi Desa Merah Putih) in the regions. He noted that this step is a follow-up to various aspirations expressed by students regarding the implementation of the government’s priority programmes.
The involvement of students comes amidst a strengthening wave of student demonstrations criticising several government programmes, such as the free nutritious meals and the Red and White Village Cooperative.
One such instance occurred when a student alliance from various campuses held a demonstration at Bundaran HI, Jakarta, on Friday, 12 June 2026. They presented at least five demands to President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, including the cessation of the free nutritious meal programme and the development of the Red and White Village Cooperative.