KEPP: President Prabowo Adopts Populist Socialist Paradigm for Papua Development
The Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development in Papua (KEPPOKP) has stated that President Prabowo Subianto has placed Papua as one of the top priorities of national development. This is being pursued through a new paradigm dubbed the ‘people’s socialist path’.
KEPPOKP Chairman Velix V. Wanggai explained that this paradigm rests on four main pillars: equitable development, respect for indigenous communities, strengthening the people’s economy, and affirmative action for indigenous Papuans (OAP).
“This people’s socialist paradigm is the main direction for accelerating Papua’s development during the 2025–2029 period,” Velix said in a written statement in Wamena on Tuesday (11/8/2026).
According to Velix, under President Prabowo’s leadership, Papua’s development is no longer viewed merely as an effort to address a disadvantaged region. Instead, Papua is positioned as a major strategy to become Indonesia’s new growth centre in the Pacific region.
“Discussing Papua is not merely discussing underdevelopment; Papua is Indonesia’s future before the Pacific region. Therefore, a new development path is needed that sides with the people, respects indigenous communities, and is capable of creating equitable prosperity,” he asserted.
This people’s socialist policy direction is claimed to have a strong constitutional foundation. Velix referred to Article 33 paragraph (3) of the 1945 Constitution, which affirms that the land, waters, and natural resources are controlled by the state for the greatest prosperity of the people.
Furthermore, the implementation of Special Autonomy (Otsus) for Papua is based on Article 18B paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution concerning state recognition of special or privileged regional government units.
Regarding the protection of local rights, Velix added that Article 18B paragraph (2) of the 1945 Constitution serves as the state’s guarantee in recognising and respecting customary law community units and their traditional rights, insofar as they are consistent with the principles of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
Member of the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development in Papua, Paulus Waterpauw, emphasised that the development orientation in Papua must undergo a paradigm shift.
Padjadjaran University expert Rusdin Tahir stressed the importance of viewing Papua’s development comprehensively, objectively, and based on official fiscal data to avoid bias. He assessed that the mismatch between central government policies and local aspirations has made communities feel neglected.