Public Urged Not to Simplify Papua's Development from a Single Perspective
Public urged not to hastily judge the reality of Papua’s development from a single perspective.
This was stated by political analyst and Executive Director of Indeks Data Nasional, Ayip Tayana, in response to the documentary film Pesta Babi. According to him, the narrative that Papua is being colonised because of the Food Estate project is a dangerous viewpoint.
‘The narrative that Papua is being colonised because of the Food Estate project, in my view, is dangerous. Because that phrase is no longer just criticism of development, but has entered into delegitimising the state. Does a state want to colonise its own people?’ he said, quoted on Friday, 22 May 2026.
He emphasised that the state has throughout this time repeatedly sought to develop Papua through various policies. Beginning with Special Autonomy funds, infrastructure development, roads, airports, seaports, hospitals, schools, and even internet access.
He admitted that development in Papua is not yet perfect. However, in his view, it is not fair to erase all the government’s development work in Papua merely because there is criticism of one particular project.
‘Papua today is still receiving Special Autonomy funds. Infrastructure is also being built, roads are opened, airports, seaports, hospitals, schools, and internet access continues to be promoted. It is not perfect, but do not pretend as if the state has never built Papua,’ he said.
He also criticised the way of thinking that he considers too quick to suspect every development agenda in Papua. He regards that Papua should not be locked in narratives of backwardness, suffering, and exploitation.
According to him, the people of Papua also have the right to enjoy progress like other regions in Indonesia. Therefore, every development should not be immediately labelled as exploitation or colonialism.
‘If investment comes in it is called exploitation. If a road is built, it is called exploitation. If Food Estate is described as a new form of colonisation. So what are we going to do for Papua? Do we want Papua to stay forested? Are prices of goods in Papua still expensive? Do its people stay poor? We do not want that. Papua is also Indonesia, and the people of Papua have the right to progress,’ he said.
Ayip added that to date the central government is often criticised when Papua lags behind. Yet when the government makes serious efforts to develop Papua, allegations arise that the development is a form of new colonisation.