Many Debates on Special Autonomy to the Issue of Creeping Genocide, Filep Invites Academics to Turn Optimism for the Papuan People

04 January 2023 oleh admin

WEST PAPUA, dpd.go.id - The presence of Volume 2 of Special Autonomy which began with the promulgation of Law Number 2 of 2021 for some groups is still being debated. Following this law, the birth of the New Autonomous Region (DOB) in Papua as a continuation of the expansion did not escape criticism, so much debate about this division has occurred among academics.

As a Senator who is also an academic, Dr. Filep Wamafma responded to these debates by presenting his arguments.

"The debate about Special Autonomy (Otsus) and expansion, especially among academics, is normal for me. Positively this shows a good index of democracy in the land of Papua. But I also remind you that the debate will not give birth to positive things, if there are no real ideas and solutions. Many parties like to play rhetoric and emotions, so that what is conveyed is used as the only truth. This is what we must avoid. All of us, especially Papuans, must have a holistic, rich and integrated perspective on Otsus and expansion," said Filep (4/1/2023).

Furthermore, this politician who is also an expert on customary law emphasizes the importance of creating optimism within Papuans. According to him, optimism and hope are very important to encourage sustainable development in the land of Papua.

“Paulo Freire's pedagogy says that education is liberating, happy. What we convey, no matter how bad the reality is, must not kill the spirit of optimism. The Romans have always been able to build with the adage, 'audaces fortuna iuvat', fortune favors the brave. So, it would be better if the academics were tasked with creating optimism in the souls of the Papuan people. If all that is given is only pessimism, how is it possible for the Papuan people to develop and progress?” asked Filep.

"Then the philosophy of expansion, like that of Otsus as we know it, seeks to give positive affirmations to indigenous Papuans. The failure of Special Autonomy Volume 1 is of course there. That is why the division is an effort to carry out equitable development, increase the dignity of the Papuan people, improve their welfare, and improve public services," said the West Papuan senator.

That, continued Filep, is in accordance with Considering Laws 14, 15, 16 of 2022 regarding division in Papua. According to him, if before the end of Special Autonomy Volume I the HDI for Papua was still low, then division would be one way out so that the government would be closer to the people, feel the needs of the people first hand and take solutions that were right on target.

Senator Filep again emphasized aspects of the regional autonomy of Otsus. He explained that concerns about the loss of income from natural resources and the decline in the regional budget can be answered, that each special autonomy region receives income from local revenue (PAD), balancing funds, provincial and district/city revenues in the framework of Special Autonomy, regional loans, and other legitimate revenues.

"Provincial and district/city original revenues are obtained from regional taxes, regional levies, results from regionally owned companies and other separated regional wealth management results. The Balancing Fund within the framework of Otsus consists of tax sharing and natural resource sharing. There are DAU and DAK funds, as well as additional infrastructure funds. It will all be transferred to the regency/city. Especially when we talk about profit-sharing funds, which according to Law Number 1 of 2022 talks about profit-sharing for regions bordering the producing areas. What I want to emphasize is that we shouldn't sow too much pessimism," said Filep again.

In addition, Dr. Filep stated that he disagreed with the term creeping genocide, namely the extinction of indigenous peoples due to inevitable progress. According to him, this term is very dangerous because it must be scientifically proven with facts about it in the Papuan context.

“Are the concerns about creeping genocide not being followed up by reading the changes we made to the Special Autonomy Law? In the Amended Special Autonomy Law, there is already an allocation of 10% of the Oil and Gas DBH for the empowerment of indigenous peoples. This is at the level of law. If a new regional regulation is made in the new autonomous region, there could be BLT for indigenous peoples. So, let's build positive thinking. Now it's just a matter of overseeing and supervising its distribution and allocation," said Filep.

"How can we directly measure HDI while expansion has just started? Moreover, how can we imagine creeping genocide while the Constitution and the Amended Special Autonomy Law still provide protection for indigenous peoples?” said Filep.

As is known, the term creeping genocide was previously conveyed by Dr. Agus Sumule, an academic at the Faculty of Agriculture Unipa. This member of Committee I DPD RI then reminded about the importance of building and caring for hope for the Papuan people.

“When missionaries come to Papua, they build hope. They don't give up hope. They face facts as challenges to be faced, not as situations of defeat. This means that we cannot use past failures as a benchmark to measure future success. Everyone has a time, and every time has a person. I believe there are many great sons and daughters of Papua who will be willing and able to develop their land in the new autonomous region," he said.

"Otsus Volume 2 and the Expansion Law, are a way to build new schools, new hospitals, educate prospective teachers in a more mature manner, opening opportunities for Papuans to become masters in their own country. There is a new MRP, there is a DPRP for appointment, DPRK for appointment, all of which are given to OAP who were not previously accommodated. So once again, let's build hope and optimism in this land. Slowly but surely, time will judge. If we do it with positive intentions and hearts, we will be able to achieve the final goal," said Filep again.

The Red Coat senator then closed his argument by saying, "The strength of a great person lies in the ability to view weaknesses as strengths, and threats as opportunities or opportunities to advance."(*)