Palapa Ring Project in East Indonesia

Another article from freewestpapua.co. Copyright owned by MACDIS

Palapa ring illustration copyright @https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/

The East Palapa Ring Package Project will reach 35 districts / cities spread across East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, Papua and West Papua regions with a total length of fiber optic cable of approximately 8,454 km.

The government will spend Rp 2.7 trillion (US$207 million) on broadband infrastructure projects as part of its efforts to close the gap in internet access between rural and urban areas across Indonesia. The Palapa Ring projects aim to lay out 4,700 kilometers of undersea fibre-optic cable as the backbone for the nation’s telecommunications system.

Electrification for 1,123 villages in Papua, West Papua

Energy sufficiency – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo visits the Mobile Power Plant (MPP) construction project in Jeranjang, West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, in this file photo. (Tempo/Supriyanto Khafid)

Power will be supplied to these villages through hydropower plants, electric tubes, biomass power plants, and solar power plants

Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) – State-owned electricity firm PLN hope to supply electricity to 1,123 villages in Papua and West Papua Provinces by the end of 2019, PLN General Manager for the Papua and West Papua regions Ari Dartomo said. Power will be supplied to these villages through hydropower plants, electric tubes, biomass power plants, and solar power plants, he told journalists in Jayapura, the capital city of Papua Province, Tuesday.

More than 100 Remote Villages in Papua Can Use Electricity

I am very thankful to MACDIS for publishing the following article on electricity development in Papua.

 

Through the program of Bright Papua 2020, PLN builds power plants and power grids to remote villages that have not yet been electrified.

 

On National Electricity Day 2017, simultaneously 101 villages spread in Papua can use electricity. Regional Director of PLN Maluku and Papua Ahmad Rofik said this is a very special gift for people of Papua and West Papua who have not enjoyed electricity for decades. A total of 16 villages are located in Sorong, 4 villages in Merauke, 6 villages in Timika, 52 villages in Jayapura and 7 villages in Biak.

Through the program of Bright Papua 2020, PLN builds power plants and power grids to remote villages that have not yet been electrified. There are villages which systems are made isolated by installing diesel generators, such as in Neney district. But many of them use the grid system (extension) from the existing electricity. The total power capacity of the whole power plant with an isolated system is 300 kW with Medium Mining Network 214.37 kms and Low Voltage Network 157.04 kms.

PLN faces many challenges in building power plants and power lines in Papua. One of them is the spread of residential location in the mountains as well as transportation access to the location. Currently there are 117 villages that have electricity from the target of 379 villages for this year. The remaining villages that have not received electricity will be cultivated to be completed by the end of this year.

The west Papua provincial administration positively welcomed this program, hoping that the Bright Indonesia Program can be well executed so that all regencies in West Papua can enjoy 24 hours electricity supplies.

Keywords: Papua, West Papua, Indonesia, Government, Electricity, PLN, Infrastructure, Jayapura, Sorong, Bright Papua.

By: Rafika Suci (Researcher MaCDIS)

West Papua Indigenous Peoples Discussion on Women and Children

Source: inactive website freewestpapua.co

West Papua Indigenous Peoples Opinion on Women and Children in the Land of West Papua was held by the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection in Biak Numfor. The meeting attended by representatives from seven customary areas representing 260 tribes in West Papua. The totals of representatives are eighty-four traditional leaders.

West Papua Indigenous Peoples opinion on Women and Children in the Land of West Papua was held by the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection in Biak Numfor. The meeting attended by representatives from seven customary areas representing 260 tribes in West Papua. The totals of representatives are eighty-four traditional leaders. Besides, there are also religious figures, women leaders of West Papua, Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection in Biak Numfor, Representatives from members of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Regional Representatives Council, and Provincial Regional Body. (The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection)

Developing Food Commodities in Papua Province

Thanks to an inactive website freewestpapua.co, we can learn about food commodities development in Papua province.

 

Papua Province is one of the regions that have a considerable diversity of biological resources, including local food crops.

Papuan local food sources that have the potential to be utilized as a source of carbohydrates are sweet potatoes, taro, sago, gembili, and millet. Local food has been widely used by the people of Papua. Communities domiciled in mountainous areas generally consume sweet potatoes, taro, and gembili, while those living on the beach use sago as a staple food. Some types of sweet potatoes, taro, and sago have adapted well and consumed by the people of Papua in decades. Thus, these commodities need to be developed as the main food source for the community. Besides being used as the main food source and for traditional ceremonies, local Papuan food commodities have also been developed into processed products such as cookies that are managed by a household industry scale.[1]

Minister of Agriculture, Amran, asserted that Indonesia’s future especially agriculture development is in the eastern region of West Papua. Because West Papua has a great agricultural potential to be excavated.

To achieve this, the effort made is to build the land of sleep so that available agricultural land on a large scale and prosperous farmers community. In addition, it is necessary to revive superior food commodities such as nutmeg, breadfruit, coffee, and corn to be exported.

Amran said that the Ministry of Agriculture will focus on increasing rice production in West Papua so that rice is no longer supplied from South Sulawesi, but can be fulfilled by itself. In 2017, the Ministry of Agriculture will make about 1900 ha of rice fields.

According to Amran, West Papua has great potential for developing of vegetable commodities such as carrots and cabbage so that their needs can be fulfilled or no longer supplied from other regions. West Papua also has excellent export-worthy commodities such as coconut, coffee, nutmeg, and cocoa. These commodities will be encouraged until they can be exported.

The Governor of West Papua, Dominggus Mandacan said the agricultural sector is very important to promote and prosper the community. West Papua government will prioritize the development of superior commodities until reach the export value. The leading commodities include nutmeg, coffee, vegetables (carrots, cabbage, potatoes), corn, coconut, cattle, breadfruit, and cocoa.[2]

[1] A. Wahid Rauf dan Martina Sri Lestari, Pemanfaatan Komoditas Pangan Lokal Sebagai Sumber Pangan Alternatif di Papua, diakses dari laman http://papuabarat.litbang.pertanian.go.id/index.php/publikasi/artikel/210-pemanfaatan-komoditas-pangan-lokal-sebagai-sumber-pangan-alternatif-di-papua pada 15/11/2017

[2] Dee Waluyo, Kementan Dorong Papua Barat Berdaulat Pangan, diakses dari laman https://jpp.go.id/ekonomi/pertanian/307558-kementan-dorong-papua-barat-berdaulat-pangan pada 15/11/2017

Keywords: West Papua, Papua, Food Commodities, local foods, agricultural, rice production, export commodities, Papuan food commodities, Papuans, local community.

By Sakhiyatun K

West Papua Special Autonomy

Copyright of the following article belongs to MACDIS’ freewestpapua.co 

The West Papua special autonomy is the law based on the West Papuan aspiration. The law contains the freedom for political party, protection to the West Papuan culture and Human Rights, and the establishment of West Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP)

In 2001, the Government of Indonesia has established the law of special autonomy to secure the rights of indigenous Papuan. This law proposal firstly introduced to the Government of Indonesia by the West Papuan intellectuals group from Cendrawasih University. The West Papuan intellectuals group proposed the law in order to suppress the deployment of the separatist movement and to bring the prosperity for the West Papuan itself.

The Papuans are enthusiastic because the law itself corresponding with their vision. It provides the freedom to form political parties; guarantee the protection of customary property and recognize the validity of customary law; ensure that 80% of the forest, fishery, 70% of oil and gas revenues, and mining revenues are provided to local authorities.

The law also contained the establishment of representative offices of the National Commission on Human Rights, Human Rights Court, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Papua. It was important to resolve and prevent cases of human rights violations in Papua. In addition, the primacy of employment was provided for indigenous Papuans as well.

The governor position, deputy governor, as well as the recruitment of local police and civilian bureaucracy, should give priority to indigenous peoples.

Special autonomy also enabled the formation of the West Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) as a cultural representation of indigenous Papuans, which has the authority, among other things, to give judgment and approval to the candidates for the governor, deputy governor, and members of the People’s Consultative Assembly of the representatives of Papua Province as well as giving them the right to give advice and approval of local regulations as well. Those authorities were there to protect the rights of indigenous Papuans. Special Autonomy pays attention to women’s rights as well. Article 19 Paragraph I stated that one-third of the membership of the Papua People’s Assembly (MRP) is women’s representatives. This opens opportunities for women to represent religious communities and indigenous peoples.

In short, this special autonomy policy has accommodated all the perceived injustices that Papuans feel while integrating with Indonesia. This policy was a form of Government of Indonesia’s appreciation of the rights of Papuans. In addition, Special Autonomy could increase West Papua’s revenue, so that sustainable development could be done to create prosperity for the people of Papua.

Keyword: West Papua, special autonomy, MRP, Indonesia, indigenous West Papua

By: Syani Zuraida, (Researcher, MaCDIS)

Sasi Nggama: An Indigenous Tradition to Preserve the Environment in Kaimana, West Papua

This article is taken from an incative website freewestpapua.co

 

Sasi Nggama @KabarPapua.co

 

Indigenous peoples in Kaimana District, West Papua, have a unique tradition of preserving the environment and natural ecology both on land and sea, called Sasi Nggama. That is also applied to maintain the environment in the waters of Kaimana.

 

Conservation Area and Policy Management Manager in West Papua Province Conservation International (CI) Indonesia Alberth Nebore said the local wisdom is owned by a number of tribes in Kaimana. This tradition is a form of traditional conservation that has been preserved for generations as a form of local wisdom. Kaimana Water Conservation Area is an asset of Kaimana community and local government. This tradition of Sasi Nggama aims to ensure sustainable fisheries management in order to be utilized for the welfare of the community.

The tradition is also carried out as an effort to promote the tourism sector of the waters. Sasi Nggama is a cultural identity. In the past, Sasi Nggama used by the ancestors of the community to regulate the utilization of natural resources. This local wisdom that protects nature and natural resources in the area. Sasi Nggama is a traditional ceremony to protect an area from exploitation. This tradition has to be obeyed by every community within a certain period of time before the specified territorial status is revoked.[1]

On Saturday, November 11, 2017, the local government of Kaimana Regency through the Tourism and Culture Office of Kaimana Regency held a process to open Sasi Nggama. The event was attended by various customary figures, religious figures, community leaders, government institutions and conservation institutions such as Conservation International Indonesia.

Because of to the tradition of Sasi Nggama an area will be maintained its natural resource management system in a controlled manner because it is protected by customary law. Protected areas are free to be determined by customary heads and can be opened. While the opening of Sasi Nggama means to re-open the sea area to be utilized its resources after several years forbidden to be exploited. This activity has become a tradition for Kampung Kayumerah, Namatota, Nasaulan, Adijaya, Kambala and other villages in the Kaimana area. The opening on November 11^th was conducted on Nawarum Island located in Siawatan village after four years ago performed Sasi Nggama ceremony.

“Kaimana residents fully support the management of natural resources with the Sasi system. People understand that Sasi aims to maintain the sustainability of natural resources, “said Assistant II Regional Secretary Kaimana, Martinus Furima.

Sasi means protection or prohibition against biota that can be done both on the land and in the sea.With the custom of Sasi, the existing natural resources will be given an opportunity to recover, grow and multiply. When custom is done, a place will be a place of pamali which means that there is absolutely no activity. Sasi has been a part of the formal law in customary law since 2016. So that every offender Sasi will be given sanctions such as paying custom fines or social sanctions such as prohibited to be involved in the opening ceremony and harvest results. The Sasi Tradition is proof that Papuans have understood the importance of a conservation effort to conserve and preserve the resources that exist in the region.[2]

Keywords: West Papua, Papua, Sasi Nggama, Kaimana, tradition, local wisdom, environment, sustainable development, tourism, natural resources

Sakhiyatun Kamilah (MaCDIS Researcher)

[1] Mengenal Sasi Nggama, Tradisi yang Menjaga Lingkungan Kaimana, diakses dari laman https://travel.tempo.co/read/1033521/mengenal-sasi-nggama-tradisi-yang-menjaga-lingkungan-kaimana

[2] Bagus Ramadhan, Adat Sasi, Tradisi Adat Penjaga Kelestarian Alam Turun-Temurun dari Papua, diakses dari laman https://www.goodnewsfromindonesia.id/2017/11/21/adat-sasi-tradisi-adat-penjaga-kelestarian-alam-turun-temurun-dari-papua