Sunday, October 3, 2021

1) High-stakes PON begin in restive Papua


2) Jokowi Inaugurates Papua's Sota Cross-border Post 
3) President Jokowi visits Sota market in Merauke 
4) Mimika Health Office ensures malaria under control during PON  
   
5)  Road in Papua left damaged for 2 years resurfaced days before Jokowi's arrival

6) Papua's Mopah Airport Terminal in Merauke Inaugurated by President Jokow
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1) High-stakes PON begin in restive Papua 

A. Muh. Ibnu Aqil (The Jakarta Post) 
PREMIUM Jakarta   ●   Sun, October 3, 2021 



An aerial view of some of the National Games (PON) 2021 venues in Papua. Pictured are the soccer, diving and track and field venues. The Public Works and Public Housing Ministry said on July 24, 2021, that five venues had received international certification and have been handed over to the local administration. (PUPR handout/-)




After a year's delay due to the pandemic, the 20th National Games (PON) started in Papua over the weekend under heavy security -- the first major sporting event in the restive easternmost region of Indonesia and despite virus concerns. 

The games are taking place until Oct. 15 in and around Jayapura, as well as in the regencies of Mimika and Merauke, and will be followed by the National Paralympic Games from Nov. 2 to 15. 

The government seems confident with hosting the games safely, even after a string of clashes between authorities and Papuan rebels occurred in Papua and West Papua in the weeks leading to the games and recent international scrutiny of how the government treats its human rights activists in Papua. 

More than 7,000 athletes are participating in the quadrennial games, some of whom had arrived a week earlier for the preliminary matches held ahead of the opening ceremony in Jayapura on Saturday, when President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo gave his speech. 

Infrastructural development 

Jokowi said that the hosting of the games showed that infrastructure development and the people in Papua had progressed to the point of being able to host a major national event. “These Papua Games have shown that we are united and equal in moving toward prosperity as citizens of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia [NKRI],” Jokowi said during the opening ceremony at the Lukas Enembe Stadium. 

Read also: Govt presses on with Papua Games despite security, virus concerns

 Prior to the ceremony, the President inaugurated seven new sport venues built for the games: Istora Papua Bangkit sport complex, a cricket field, indoor hockey, archery arenas and an aquatic stadium in Jayapura regency, as well as a roller rink and a rowing venue in Jayapura city. “We must use these venues to nurture sports talent, so Papuan athletes can leave their mark, at the national level and the world,” he said. 

The sporting event is heavily guarded by around 6,000 police and military personnel from Papua and other provinces. The police previously said they would focus on anticipating any security threats by the rebels, who the government refer to as an armed criminal group (KKB). Coordinating Political, Security and Legal Affairs Minister Mahfud MD and Home Minister Tito Karnavian conducted final security checks at the Lukas Enembe Stadium on Friday ahead of the opening ceremony. “We have anticipated all layers of security threats [for PON], but in a peaceful manner. 

This is a sporting event, after all, it should not be a scary [experience],” Mahfud said. Late last month, on Sept. 26, a joint team of police and military personnel was in a shootout with a Papuan rebel group in Kiwirok district, within the restive Pegunungan Bintang regency. A police officer was killed in the incident. 

The clash follows nearly a dozen incidents occurring in Papua and West Papua this year alone, including the tragic death of nurse Gabriella Meilani on Sept. 13 in a rebel attack on public services in Kiwirok. She was reportedly harassed and killed by the rebel forces, but they have denied the allegations, and have called for an independent investigation involving the United Nations. Early last month, some 30 Papuan rebels ambushed a military outpost in Maybrat regency in neighboring West Papua province, killing four soldiers and injuring two others. 

Nation-building 

However, with the security threats being relatively far from the places where the sporting event is being hosted, experts and activists have called for the central government to refrain from using excessive security measures during the games, and instead use it as an opportunity for peaceful Indonesian nation-building among Papuan people. 

Papua researcher Cahyo Pamungkas of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) said that the mobilization of security and police forces from outside the province would only foster the view that Papua was not safe, even if they were only additional personnel. Papuan activist detained in Indonesia at risk of death, UN expert warns 

Read also: Papuan activist detained in Indonesia at risk of death, UN expert warns 

He said Jakarta took an “ambiguous approach" in using the games as a way to win the hearts and minds of Papuan people: trying to assert its sovereignty over Papua using economic and infrastructure development, while heavily increasing security during the event. “We don’t need super strict security [for PON]. [Military and police] personnel that were already stationed in Papua should be enough,” Cahyo said. 

Frans Maniagasi from activist group the Sabang Merauke Discussion Forum said that the Papua Games was actually an opportunity to strengthen nation-building in Papua and trust-building between Papuan people and Jakarta if the latter could follow up the games with dialogue. “After this event, the central government must establish a democratic forum for dialogues with all Papuans, even including those who had been hostile to the central government,” he said. 

He said the central government should also close the socioeconomic gap between native Papuans and other Indonesians, whether in Papua or in other provinces. 
“[Infrastructure] development will not be useful if native Papuans are still marginalized,” he said.


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2) Jokowi Inaugurates Papua's Sota Cross-border Post 
Translator: Antara  
 Editor: Petir Garda Bhwana 
3 October 2021 15:14 WIB


TEMPO.COJakarta - After officially opening Papua's 20th PON National Games on Saturday evening, President Joko Widodo continued his working visit on Sunday by inaugurating the Sota cross-border post (PLBN) in Merauke District.

In a speech he delivered at the opening ceremony of this integrated cross-border post, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) expressed hope that all border crossers could be served well.

"I hope the Sota cross-border post officials will provide our citizens wanting to cross the Indonesia-PNG land border with better and more comfortable services," he said.

President Jokowi's speech at the inauguration of the cross-border post in Soto Sub-district, Merauke District, Papua Province, was streamed on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel.

He highlighted the importance of border areas for Indonesia as they function as Indonesia's front porches that represent the nation's image. Therefore, they must sustainably be developed.

Having the border areas get well developed will present Indonesia's progress that makes the entire nation proud, President Jokowi said.

To this end, over the past seven years, he has ordered related government agencies to rebuild various cross-border posts across the archipelago.

However, the reconstruction of the cross-border posts that has made the nation have a new physical image must also be completed with a continuous improvement in public services, according to President Jokowi.

"Providing new ways of serving the public becomes our commitment to developing Indonesia from its periphery," he said.

The Sota cross-border post is expected to help boost new economic growth centers, and improve services in the Indonesia-PNG land border area of Merauke District.

At the end, its presence would hopefully make local residents near the border area have deeper love and pride of Indonesia, President Jokowi said.

Noted as the eighth integrated cross-border post in Indonesia, and second one in Papua after the PLBN Skouw, the PLBN Sota relatively has complete facilities.

The facilities include a commercial building, a market, social and public facilities, a worship place, a worker dormitory, accomodation facility, pedestrian facility, and a parking area.

The inauguration of the Sota integrated cross-border post was marked by the Tifa drum beats and signing of an inscription during which President Jokowi was accompanied by several ministers and top state officials.

Among those attending the event were Coordinating Political, Legal, and Security Minister Mahfud MD, Home Minister Tito Karnavian, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Puan Maharani, and Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto.

Read: 

ANTARA



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3) President Jokowi visits Sota market in Merauke 
 7 hours ago
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) visited a market in Sota Sub-district, Merauke District, Papua Province, on Sunday after inaugurating the Sota cross-border post (PLBN).

As revealed by a written statement from the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat, at the market which is one of the facilities around the Sota integrated cross-border post, Jokowi had a chance to talk to a female vendor.  

The President bought onions and bananas. When buying bananas, the President asked her about the price of a bunch of bananas.

"Five thousand," the vendor said to the President.

"I bought four, so all twenty thousand rupiah," the President said.

However, the President gave her one million Rupiah.

Related news: Jokowi inaugurates Mopah Airport terminal in Merauke

"I bought a banana for Rp20,000. So how much is the return?" the President asked

"Thank you Mr. President," said the vendor who was greeted by the President's smile.

"Yes, thank you," the President said.

In addition to Sota Market, previously the President also took the time to review a number of cross-border post (PLBN) facilities such as the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea departure route and the Papua New Guinea-Indonesia arrival to Plaza Garuda.

In that place, he met a number of border crossers and took the time to chat with them for a while.

Related news: President Jokowi inaugurates Papua's Sota cross-border post

Reporter: Rangga P, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution


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4) Mimika Health Office ensures malaria under control during PON  
7 hours ago

Mimika (ANTARA) - The Mimika District Health Office has ensured that the spread of malaria in the district continues to be under control, as the 20th National Sports Week (PON) takes place in several areas in Papua, including Mimika.

Head of the Mimika Health Office Reynold Ubra said here Sunday that anticipatory measures regarding malaria containment leading to the PON XX have been carried out since last year. The authorities conduct surveys against mosquito larvae and mass blood surveys (MBS), and distribute mosquito nets.

The Mimika Health Office has also carried out Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) in the accommodations where the PON XX participants are staying, in order to prevent Anopheles mosquitos, also often referred to as the malaria mosquitos.

"The IRS fogging had been done two months prior (to the event). As for hotels, we express our appreciation to those who have carried it out independently," he said.

Furthermore, all PON participants were tested for malaria and were given directions regarding the disease, including prevention and mitigation measures.

"Out of over 500 specimens that we had tested, there were three specimens in which malaria cases were found. This means that the rate is under one percent. Two of these cases were athletes from endemic zones, one of which was Mimika," Ubra said.

Related news: Fogging conducted to stop malaria spread during Papua PON: ministry

Aside from during the Papua PON period, surveillance is also done by the Mimika Health Office for three months after participants leave the area.

"Following the malaria inspections, we will carry out migration surveys, where we keep an eye on participants up until three months after they return to their hometowns," he added.

Should there be athletes who experience symptoms of malaria, they will be referred to the local health office or public health centers (Puskesmas).

The local health authorities, he continued, will trace them back to endemic areas and they will get in touch with the Mimika health office.

The Papua PON XX had officially been opened by President Joko Widodo, and is scheduled to take place until October 15. Featuring 37 events, the competitions take place in Jayapura City, and the districts of Jayapura, Mimika, and Merauke.

Related news: Indonesia observes World Malaria Day in Bengkulu

Reporter: Zuhdiar L/Aria Cindyara
Editor: Rahmad Nasution


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5)  Road in Papua left damaged for 2 years resurfaced days before Jokowi's arrival

Detik News – October 2, 2021

Sorong (Antara) – Jalan Jenderal Sudirman in Sorong city, West Papua province, which has been damaged for two years, was quickly resurfaced in the lead up to a visit by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who will arrive in Sorong on Monday October 4.

As reported by the Antara state-news agency on Saturday October 2, the damaged section of Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, which is located right in front of a petrol station in the Klaligi area of Sorong Manoi district, was resurfaced with asphalt by the public roads department and the West Papua provincial public works office.

The road, which has been damaged for two years, was repaired using a full armada of equipment.

Local people meanwhile were surprised by the road repairs saying they never suspected the road – which had been left damaged for two years – would be repaired in the lead up to Widodo's visit.

Klaligi village resident Musa admitted to being surprised to see the full deployment of heavy machinery to re-asphalt the road, which up until now had just been left damaged.

Musa said there had been frequent traffic accidents due to the damaged road.

"After we checked, it turns out that there is to be a visit by the president to Sorong city on October 4, 2021, so the road was immediately re-asphalted", said Musa.

The head of the Sorong city public works office, J Sinaga, said that the community had already complained about the damaged road.

"But Jalan Jenderal Sudirman in Sorong city is not under the authority of the Sorong city regional government, but under the authority of the provincial [government] and the public roads [department]", said Sinaga. (jbr/hri)

Notes

On October 2 President Joko Widodo traveled to Papua to officially launch the opening ceremony of the 20th National Games (PON XX) at the Lukas Enembe Stadium in Jayapura district.

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Jalan di Sorong Papua Diaspal Jelang Jokowi Datang, Sudah 2 Tahun Rusak".]

Source: https://news.detik.com/berita/d-5750119/jalan-di-sorong-papua-diaspal-jelang-jokowi-datang-sudah-2-tahun-rusak

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6) Papua's Mopah Airport Terminal in Merauke Inaugurated by President Jokowi
Translator: 
 
Editor: 

Petir Garda Bhwana

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