Pigai Urges Papua to Abandon Money Tradition
Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai delivered sharp criticism and a call for reform during a meeting with the Central Papua DPR, the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP), tribal chiefs, community figures, and youth and students at the Central Papua DPR office on 17 August. In the forum, Pigai urged all elements of regional government to abandon the habit of bringing money to Jakarta in order to obtain or influence a policy.
“Honourable DPR and MRP leaders, government services in Jakarta are free of charge. Do not make a habit of delivering money to Jakarta! No policy of this country can be bought with money. No state policy can be bought with money, none,” Pigai said, as quoted on Thursday (20 August).
Pigai also referred to a local expression that has often been used to describe the practice of giving money to officials. “The fact is there is a term ‘small fish pay the shark’. Is that a fact? That fact is an enemy! That fact must be fought! I am a Papuan who every day peers into the fortress of Papuan stories. But I rarely meet Papuan regents and officials. You can check anywhere, I am a clean person. I have never been involved in anything improper. At least there is no gossip, right? I myself have never done so either. I cannot be bothered to know who they are,” he said.
He reiterated that various government administrative processes related to Papua’s development in Jakarta should be able to be carried out without incurring costs.
“So, administrative matters of governance and development related to Papua in Jakarta are free! No payment! I do not know about political matters. The affairs of political parties and candidacy, that is wallahu a’lam. That is God’s business and their business, not ours. But for government services in Jakarta, nothing can be monetised,” Pigai said.
“And therefore, do not have itchy hands. Do not take a wad of cash and deliver it to Jakarta to pay for policy. Policy cannot be paid for; policy is free. You pay taxes, and the proceeds of those taxes are given to us as salaries and allowances, and on that basis we provide policy. Throw far away the tradition of ‘small fish pay the shark’,” he continued.
According to Pigai, the habit of bringing money to Jakarta has also shaped a negative perception of Papuans at the central level. He argued that the practice actually lowers the position and dignity of Papuans.
“I have a secret. In the minds of the rulers in Jakarta, the bribe value of a Papuan is ten times higher than the bribe value of someone from NTT. For political party matters, if you run as a member of the DPR or as a regent/mayor, someone from NTT pays at least one hundred million rupiah, whereas a Papuan for one seat can pay two billion rupiah! Why? Because we ourselves deliver the money. We even deliver money to enrich Jakarta,” he said.
“I have heard information that recommendations from political parties for Papuan candidacy are the most expensive in all of Indonesia. The rulers in Papua who want to become leaders but follow that method are also wicked. Who becomes the victim? The dignity of Papuans becomes weak and low,” he added.
Pigai then said that he has tried to break that stigma through his attitude and track record, which he considers clean. “Check all the media in Indonesia, my name is one of the best and cleanest today. Even though ninety-nine per cent in Jakarta’s view, Papuans are easy when it comes to money,” he said.
“I break their way of thinking at the centre of power in Jakarta through clean means. Now, with this meeting of ours, at least in Central Papua Province, just do what I have said. Later we will see change after change in the future, although it cannot be completed quickly, because it is a tradition,” Pigai said.
Not only highlighting bureaucratic and financial management issues, Pigai also urged local legislators to be bolder in voicing the interests of the people.
“I am a minister, I speak plainly. Where is there a minister who speaks politely and with pleasantries? I do not want that. I am a minister and I always speak like this and have not been replaced until now, let alone you members of the DPR? Why do you keep silent? What is not allowed and is prohibited by the state is demanding Papuan independence. The moment you demand Papuan independence, you will be removed tomorrow, done. But if you demand that the people be prosperous, just, prosperous, healthy, and secure, what is wrong with that? You are carrying out the mandate of the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution. Carry it out! Never be afraid to speak out against injustice,” he explained.
Pigai also stressed that justice, truth, and humanitarian values must be the foundation for building Papua’s future. “If there is justice, truth, and humanity in Papua, then we will see the sun of justice rise starting from Central Papua,” he concluded.