Indonesian president looks to assist Papua region after years of neglect

Indonesian President Joko Widodo wants to open up the remote and impoverished region of Papua after decades of conflict and neglect, but will first need the backing of the military, parliament and separatists. Palace officials said the president plans to free dozens of political prisoners, launch a slew of infrastructure projects, and confront the serious unemployment problem in the easternmost province of the Indonesian archipelago. A small separatist movement has kept Papua under the close supervision of the military, more than 50 years after Indonesia seized control of the resource-rich area following the end of Dutch colonial rule.

The new approach will be more humane, with the aim of developing Papua more fairly.

Mualimin Abdi, Director of Human Rights for the Justice Ministry.

Despite an abundance of forests and minerals, ordinary Papuans have seen little benefit with their schools, hospitals and infrastructure in dire straits due to rampant corruption. Widodo has made developing Papua one of his top priorities and has already visited the region twice as president, announcing plans for a region-wide road network, fiber optic cable system, sport facilities and a major deep sea port. Widodo’s predecessor, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, only visited Papua three times during his 10-year tenure.

Politics