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