Attending Plenary Session, Senator Filep Wamafma Conveyed Aspirations Regarding Oil and Gas DBH to Village Funds

10 January 2023 oleh admin

JAKARTA, dpd.go.id - West Papua Senator Dr. Filep Wamafma conveyed his aspirations regarding the distribution of the Oil and Gas Revenue Sharing Fund (DBH) for indigenous peoples and the issue of distribution of village funds in West Papua. He conveyed this aspiration at the 7th DPD RI Plenary Session for the second session of the 2022-2023 Session Year at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday (9/1/2023).

Regarding the Oil and Gas DBH, Senator Filep said that the issue of managing the Oil and Gas DBH, especially regarding its designation for indigenous peoples, must become the concern of the DPD RI. The reason is, in several recesses, Filep found that until now there has been no policy scheme that regulates the oil and gas DBH.

"In our opinion, the aspiration regarding the distribution of 10 percent of DBH Migas for indigenous peoples must receive serious attention by the parliament. Because this is related to the rights of the indigenous Papuan people in the context of the mandate of the Special Autonomy Law," said Filep Wamafma, who is known to often fight for the aspirations of oil and gas DBH for indigenous peoples, Tuesday (10/1/2023).

"Based on several references and the results of recess in the regions, we found that in fact the allocation of 10 percent of the Oil and Gas DBH for indigenous peoples and their institutions has not yet had a policy scheme or implementation strategy by either the provincial or district/city governments," he said.

Therefore, continued Filep, the DPD RI must immediately follow up on this issue in accordance with its authority in carrying out its oversight role on the implementation of the Special Autonomy Law in the regions. According to him, the DPD RI is also obliged to oversee and ensure that the mandate of the Special Autonomy Law is implemented as well as possible for the welfare of the people of Papua.

On the same occasion, the Vice Chairman of Committee I DPD RI also conveyed the findings of the West Papua Regional Police regarding allegations of misuse of village funds and the blocking of village/village officials' accounts. According to him, this is a crucial issue because it also concerns the rights of the people in the village.

"As we know, there have been accounts blocked in several villages related to the use of village funds which are suspected of flowing to criminal groups. For this reason, I convey that the DPD RI needs to immediately advocate for this issue, to coordinate with the West Papua Regional Police and immediately resolve this problem, so that it does not prolong," he said.

"What we are worried about is that this problem can make the village administration unable to carry out its duties optimally. Also to prevent assumptions as if village funds in Papua are being used for the benefit of criminal groups. Of course this problem must be resolved immediately, “said Filep again.

Furthermore, Filep said that the two aspirations of the community, both the oil and gas DBH issue and the distribution of village funds, received a positive response at the plenary session. As a result, DPD RI will follow up and immediately advocate for this issue in the near future.

Related to this, Filep also invites all parties to prioritize the interests of the people above all interests. This is very important to do to ensure the fulfillment of the basic rights of the people, especially indigenous Papuans and indigenous peoples.

“Once again I repeat that the Special Autonomy Law and a number of central government policies for the regions aim to respect, protect and empower indigenous Papuans personally as well as indigenous peoples. Therefore, if the law mandates rights to indigenous peoples in the form of 10 percent of oil and gas DBH, then it must be implemented as much as possible, including regarding the rights of the people who are accommodated through the distribution of village funds in the villages," he concluded. (*)