BI Papua: Investments Unaffected by Manokwari Riots

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Papua branch of Bank Indonesia (BI) said that investments in Manokwari and surrounding areas are not affected by the riots. According to branch chief S. Donny H. Heatubun, investors' perceptions have not changed.

"In general, we have not seen any potential influence from the demonstration on investors' perceptions in West Papua, considering that today's event is actually an event aimed at solidarity," he told Tempo via text message on Monday, August 19.

Donny ensured investment performance in West Papua is on a positive trend. He also said that contribution to gross regional domestic product or GRDP remains high.

"The contribution of LNG commodities accounts for 90 percent of West Papua's total exports," he said.

Donny's statement negates the outlook by the Institute for Development of Economic and Finance (Indef) that the recent riots in Manokwari will affect economic conditions and damage investment climate in Papua.

"If it continues, there will be an impact on investors' perceptions, especially in Papua, which we know to host sectors that attract a lot of mining investment," Indef deputy executive director Eko Listiyanto said in an economic discussion at his office on Monday.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA