2) President Jokowi's Promises to Papua
3) Jokowi inaugurates Papua’s longest bridge, hopes to boost tourism
4) Jokowi ready to erect Jayapura's presidential palace: Papuan figure
5) Youtefa Bridge reflects Jokowi's commitment to build Papua: Wetipo
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1) Indonesia: Jokowi Inspects Riot Damage during Visit to Papua
Victor Mambor Jayapura, Indonesia 2019-10-28
Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (center), accompanied by Papuan officials including Jayawijaya Regent John Richard Banua (left) and Gov. Lukas Enembe (second from left), visits the Wouma Market in Wamena, Papua province, Oct. 28, 2019. Islami Adisubrata/BenarNews
Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo visited Papua province Monday to inspect destruction from an anti-Jakarta riot that killed dozens of people last month, as critics complained that he had failed to address human rights issues at the heart of the conflict.
The visit was Jokowi’s first to the country’s easternmost province since a wave of street protests, sometimes violent, began in August over alleged racist remarks against Papuan students on Java island.
“We want everything to return to normal,” Joko said in remarks released by the cabinet secretariat.
Mobs torched government buildings, shops and homes after a rally descended into chaos on Sept. 23 in Wamena, the largest town in Papua’s highlands. At least 40 people were killed and about 16,000 of the 42,000 residents were uprooted or evacuated as a result.
Jokowi urged local authorities to rebuild the town’s Wouma market immediately along with homes and shops with assistance from the military and state-owned companies.
“We should learn from the recent events and unite to rebuild Papua,” he said.
Later, Jokowi traveled to the provincial capital Jayapura and officially launched the new Youtefa Bridge, which cost 1.8 trillion rupiah ($128.4 million) to build.
“A bridge can serve many functions and its multiplier effect can benefit the people,” Jokowi said.
The president promised to pay closer attention to Papua and West Papua provinces and visit the region two or three times a year during his second five-year term, which began last week. On Sunday, Jokowi visited West Papua.
“This is my 13th visit to Papua and we are determined to develop Papua to make it more advanced,” Jokowi said.
The president made constructing roads, bridges and infrastructure in Papua a priority in his first term, but that effort came into question in December 2018 when armed rebels killed 19 workers building a trans-Papua highway.
The government said that those killed were civilians working for a state-owned construction company, but the West Papua National Liberation Army, the armed wing of the separatist movement, insisted they were soldiers.
Rights activist reacts
Papuan human rights activist Theo Hasegem said despite Jokowi’s frequent visits, no rights abuse cases have been resolved during the president’s watch.
“If the conflict continues, who will enjoy the infrastructure development? That is a question that Papuans have been asking,” Hasegem told BenarNews.
The Wamena riot came a few weeks after protests that began in late August killed about a dozen people. Government buildings and schools were damaged while 450 shops and 165 homes were burned, according to the government.
The riot was the worst since 2000 when 30 people were killed during clashes between residents and security forces.
The government has blamed the separatist United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) and the National Committee for West Papua for the unrest that has gripped Papua and West Papua since August when protesters took to the streets to demand a vote on self-determination.
The Papua region was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969, after a U.N.-administered ballot known as the Act of Free Choice. Many Papuans and rights groups said the vote was a sham because it involved only 1,000 people.
Late last month, Jokowi said he was ready to hold talks with separatist leaders to solve the conflict.
But ULMWP chairman Benny Wenda said the prospects of any talks depended on the government’s willingness to discuss a referendum on self-determination and withdraw 16,000 additional troops and police sent to the region in August.
Late last month, Jokowi said he was ready to hold talks with separatist leaders to solve the conflict.
But ULMWP chairman Benny Wenda said the prospects of any talks depended on the government’s willingness to discuss a referendum on self-determination and withdraw 16,000 additional troops and police sent to the region in August.
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2) President Jokowi's Promises to Papua
Translator: Ricky Mohammad Nugraha Editor: Markus Wisnu Murti
28 October 2019 20:34 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, promises to continue prioritizing Papua and West Papua’s infrastructure development for the next five years, a full length of his final term in office as President.
The president’s promises were made evident by his official visit to Papua after inaugurating the ministers of his Indonesia Onward Cabinet. Jokowi was accompanied by Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, and Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian.
Here are three of Jokowi’s promises to Papua:
- Constructing transportation infrastructure
Jokowi promised to focus on constructing transportation infrastructure across three areas: land, sea, and air. Projects prepared for the region include Jayapura city’s Entrop Terminal, “water bus” ports at Sentani Lake and a border post at Jayapura regency’s Skouw.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, promises to continue prioritizing Papua and West Papua’s infrastructure development for the next five years, a full length of his final term in office as President.
The president’s promises were made evident by his official visit to Papua after inaugurating the ministers of his Indonesia Onward Cabinet. Jokowi was accompanied by Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, and Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian.
Here are three of Jokowi’s promises to Papua:
- Constructing transportation infrastructure
Jokowi promised to focus on constructing transportation infrastructure across three areas: land, sea, and air. Projects prepared for the region include Jayapura city’s Entrop Terminal, “water bus” ports at Sentani Lake and a border post at Jayapura regency’s Skouw.
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3) Jokowi inaugurates Papua’s longest bridge, hopes to boost tourism
Marchio Irfan Gorbiano The Jakarta Post
Jayapura / Mon, October 28, 2019 / 03:58 pm
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo inaugurated the 732-meter Youtefa Bridge in Jayapura, Papua on Monday on the last leg of his three-day trip to Papua and West Papua.
Construction was started on the bridge, previously known as the Holtekamp Bridge, in May 2015. It spans Youtefa Bay, connecting Holtekamp village in the Muara Tani district with Hamadi village in the South Jayapura district.
“I have always pushed to accelerate infrastructure construction in eastern Indonesia in parallel with human resources development. The goal, besides improving the people’s prosperity, is to improve connectivity so that the movement of goods and people can be faster, resulting in much cheaper goods and services for the public,” Jokowi said in his speech at the bridge’s inauguration.
“This is also the case with the Youtefa Bridge, which we are inaugurating today, a bridge that has been built over four years with a budget of Rp 1.8 trillion [US$128 million].”
The President added that he hoped that the bridge would serve as a new icon for Papua, particularly during the 2020 National Games (PON), which will be held in the province.
“Finally, I also ask that the Papua provincial administration and the Jayapura municipal administration use the Youtefa Bridge to develop tourism in Youtefa Bay,” he said. “Use this as an opportunity for Papua to rise and advance.”
Shortly after the inauguration ceremony, Jokowi left the province to visit Ambon, Maluku. (kmt)
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4) Jokowi ready to erect Jayapura's presidential palace: Papuan figure
6 hours ago
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is prepared to erect a Presidential Palace and Dormitory of Archipelago in Jayapura, the capital city of Papua Province, Abisai Rollo, revered figure of the Port Numbay customary community, stated.
In conversation with journalists after witnessing President Jokowi inaugurated Youtefa Bridge in Jayapura on Monday, Rollo affirmed he had provided 10 hectares of land to the state to build the Indonesian Presidential Palace, the work for which will commence in 2020.
"(Late) President Soekarno's message to us all is that do not ask what your country has given to you but what you have given to your country," he stated, adding that the presidential palace is expected to be built in 2021.
Related news: President Jokowi inaugurates Youtefa Bridge in Jayapura
Following its completion, President Jokowi, accompanied by First Lady Iriana during his working visit to the provinces of Papua and West Papua, has vowed to use the presidential palace, Rollo remarked.
"That is Mr. President's pledge to us when we met him in Jakarta in September. Today, he came here and conveyed that the Presidential Palace will be erected in Jayapura," Rollo noted.
Before continuing his work visit to Ambon, the capital city of Maluku Province, President Jokowi inaugurated Youtefa Bridge, or also popularly called Holtekamp Bridge by several residents of Jayapura, the capital city of Papua Province.
Related news: Papuan customary figure confirms land ready for presidential palace
"I am upbeat that this Youtefa Bridge is cared for and kept clean," President Jokowi remarked while inaugurating the 732-meter-long and 21-meter-wide bridge at around 3:30 p.m. local time.
The president remarked that the bridge, whose construction began in 2015 and for which Rp1.8 trillion was spent, was expected to help bolster the province's economic development.
In connection with the construction of this Youtefa Bridge, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Wempi Wetipo revealed that it was part of President Jokowi's commitment to expediting infrastructure development in Papua.
Related news: Youtefa Bridge reflects Jokowi's commitment to build Papua: Wetipo
Hence, Wetipo urged the people at large, especially those residing in Jayapura, the capital city of Papua, to care for this long bridge in the province.
"Please take care of this bridge. Do not vandalize it again. This is proof of a president's commitment to us," he noted, adding that President Jokowi truly cared for the rapid development of infrastructure facilities in Papua.
President Jokowi has consistently shown full commitment to developing Papua. Hence, the people of Papua should laud him by maintaining and caring for facilities, including the bridge, that his administration has built, he stated.
Related news: Jokowi instructs to expedite post-riot rehabilitation work in Wamena
Related news: Jokowi pledges to build market and roads in Arfak, West Papua
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In conversation with journalists after witnessing President Jokowi inaugurated Youtefa Bridge in Jayapura on Monday, Rollo affirmed he had provided 10 hectares of land to the state to build the Indonesian Presidential Palace, the work for which will commence in 2020.
"(Late) President Soekarno's message to us all is that do not ask what your country has given to you but what you have given to your country," he stated, adding that the presidential palace is expected to be built in 2021.
Related news: President Jokowi inaugurates Youtefa Bridge in Jayapura
Following its completion, President Jokowi, accompanied by First Lady Iriana during his working visit to the provinces of Papua and West Papua, has vowed to use the presidential palace, Rollo remarked.
"That is Mr. President's pledge to us when we met him in Jakarta in September. Today, he came here and conveyed that the Presidential Palace will be erected in Jayapura," Rollo noted.
Before continuing his work visit to Ambon, the capital city of Maluku Province, President Jokowi inaugurated Youtefa Bridge, or also popularly called Holtekamp Bridge by several residents of Jayapura, the capital city of Papua Province.
Related news: Papuan customary figure confirms land ready for presidential palace
"I am upbeat that this Youtefa Bridge is cared for and kept clean," President Jokowi remarked while inaugurating the 732-meter-long and 21-meter-wide bridge at around 3:30 p.m. local time.
The president remarked that the bridge, whose construction began in 2015 and for which Rp1.8 trillion was spent, was expected to help bolster the province's economic development.
In connection with the construction of this Youtefa Bridge, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Wempi Wetipo revealed that it was part of President Jokowi's commitment to expediting infrastructure development in Papua.
Related news: Youtefa Bridge reflects Jokowi's commitment to build Papua: Wetipo
Hence, Wetipo urged the people at large, especially those residing in Jayapura, the capital city of Papua, to care for this long bridge in the province.
"Please take care of this bridge. Do not vandalize it again. This is proof of a president's commitment to us," he noted, adding that President Jokowi truly cared for the rapid development of infrastructure facilities in Papua.
President Jokowi has consistently shown full commitment to developing Papua. Hence, the people of Papua should laud him by maintaining and caring for facilities, including the bridge, that his administration has built, he stated.
Related news: Jokowi instructs to expedite post-riot rehabilitation work in Wamena
Related news: Jokowi pledges to build market and roads in Arfak, West Papua
EDITED BY INE
