TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta must open a dialog before extending the special autonomy status of Papua. Money cannot restore the dead to life.

IN conflict regions like Papua, there is a negative correlation between dialogue and violence. The more often there is dialogue - no matter how lengthy and tiring - the higher the possibility that violence can be avoided.

Therefore, Jakarta's move to obstruct the initiative from the Papuan People's Assembly (MRP) to open a dialogue about special autonomy is regrettable. The paranoia from the security forces, which have accused the MRP of provoking people to demand a referendum, has made the conflict in the region more complex.

With or without the MRP, the government must evaluate the implementation of special autonomy, which expires in 2021. This evaluation must be objective and comprehensive, and must involve all stakeholders, including independent experts. This evaluation is important in order to determine whether special autonomy is still relevant as a 'middle path' to reduce demands for Papuan independence.

There is no need for Jakarta to be hasty in deciding on the second phase (2022-2041) of special autonomy. Some Papuans -- in ever-increasing numbers -- reject the extension of special autonomy and are demanding more extensive political freedoms.

The implementation of special autonomy has not succeeded in resolving the deep-rooted conflict in Papua. In intensive research carried out between 2004 and 2008, the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) identified four roots of the conflict: the problematic integration of Papua into Indonesia, violence by the state and human rights abuses, the failure of development and the marginalization of native Papuans. The most recent LIPI report in 2017 concluded that these four problems remained unresolved.

Between 2002 and 2020, Jakarta poured Rp126.99 trillion of special autonomy funds into Papua - around two percent of the National General Allocation Funds. With regards to physical infrastructure, Papua has seen many changes. Despite this, because of poor development planning and widespread corruption, the figures for poverty, education and public health in Papua still lag behind other provinces.

These special autonomy funds have also failed to 'buy the hearts' of the Papuan people. Unfortunately, despite all the money it has spent, Jakarta has never relaxed the security approach to Papua. Violence by security forces continues. According to Amnesty International, from January 2010 to February 2018, 69 Papuans died as a result of unlawful killing. However much is spent, special autonomy funds will never be able to restore these dead Papuans to life.

Jakarta must end the repressive approach and throw open the doors to dialogue. As quickly as possible, the government must embrace the Papuan People's Assembly. Legally and culturally, the MRP is an institution that fairly well represents the diversity of the people in Papua. To bring about a Papua that is peaceful, the government must not burn the only remaining 'bridge'.

There is no instant way to end this protracted conflict. Even dialogue will only succeed if all sides realize their respective mistakes, have a desire to build mutual trust, and are prepared to place themselves at the same level.

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