Towards More Effective Special Autonomy Funds, Sorong City Government Holds Activity Planning Forum
The Sorong City Government held a Special Autonomy (Otsus) Fund Policy Recommendation Formulation activity led by Acting Regional Secretary Ruddy R. Laku, accompanied by Bappeda Secretary Efone P. Thenu and a team from the Ministry of Finance. The activity took place in the Anggrek Room of the Sorong Mayor’s Office on Thursday.
This activity was carried out as part of efforts to evaluate, monitor, and strengthen the governance of the Special Autonomy Fund so that its implementation becomes more accountable, transparent, and has a real impact on regional development, particularly in improving the welfare of Indigenous Papuans in Sorong City.
In his remarks, Ruddy R. Laku expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Finance team for attending to conduct an evaluation while absorbing various inputs from the regional government regarding the management of the Otsus Fund. He stated that the presence of the Ministry of Finance team was an important opportunity for the Sorong City Government to obtain direction, assistance, and input to strengthen Otsus Fund management so that it is more targeted and able to provide optimal benefits to the community.
‘Through this activity, we hope to receive various inputs and guidance in managing the Otsus Fund so that in the future its implementation will be better, transparent, accountable, and able to have a significant impact on regional development and the welfare of Indigenous Papuans,’ said the Regional Secretary.
On that occasion, the Acting Regional Secretary also reminded all regional apparatuses to immediately fill in and submit the questionnaires that had been distributed as part of the evaluation process and formulation of Otsus Fund policy recommendations. Meanwhile, a Ministry of Finance representative explained that input from regional governments through the questionnaire would be important material in formulating the Otsus Fund policy for the 2027 Fiscal Year, which is currently being prepared by the central government.
In its presentation, the Ministry of Finance identified a number of challenges still faced in managing the Otsus Fund, including delays in the procurement of goods and services, the quality of programme implementation, administrative obstacles, and the effectiveness of aid distribution to the community. In addition, the central government also received various inputs regarding heterogeneous regional conditions such as Sorong City, so that future Otsus Fund policies are expected to be more adaptive to the characteristics and needs of the community in each region.
The Ministry of Finance also emphasised the importance of mature planning in the implementation of physical programmes, including paying attention to activity schedules so as not to be hampered by weather factors or other technical obstacles. Attention was also given to community economic assistance programmes. Regional governments are expected not only to provide assistance but also to carry out sustainable mentoring through training, business coaching, strengthening financial management, product marketing, and developing the capacity of aid recipients.
Through this activity, it is hoped that stronger synergy will be built between the central government and regional governments in formulating a Special Autonomy Fund policy that is more effective, targeted, and able to encourage improved community welfare and sustainable development in Sorong City.