Hunger in Yahukimo

Hunger in Yahukimo

From Kompas

After the previous cases of hunger and malnutrition in West and East Nusa Tenggara, there have been reports that at least 50 people have died of hunger and 112 others are suffering from famine-related diseases in Yahukimo regency, Papua.

This is tragic because the deaths of so many people were due to hunger rather than ailments such as malaria, which can still be found in this easternmost province.

The malnutrition in Papua resulted from economic poverty and the lack of government attention to the region's infrastructure. Papua is a resource-rich province that makes the biggest contribution to the state budget.

Why has Papua remained untouched by the money it contributes to the state budget? In this case, regional leaders -- the governor, regents and mayors -- in Papua are most responsible for the misfortune.

Instead of spending part of their time in Jakarta, Papuan leaders should execute their main duties by conducting field surveys to ascertain their people's conditions and observing their actual difficulties.

Papua is still vulnerable to conflict, so this food supply issue must not trigger any friction with the government that can be exploited by local and foreign parties to serve their interests.

DJOKO SULISTRIYONO Bekasi, West Java