Jokowi to Set More Meetings with Papuan Figures post Inauguration

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Presidential Chief Of Staff Moeldoko said that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will hold another meeting with Papuan and West Papuan figures after the 2019-2024 presidential inauguration.

“It has been planned. The meeting initiated by Home Affairs Minister is slated to take place after the inauguration,” said Moeldoko after receiving the visit of regional legislative councils (DPRD) of Papua and West Papua in his office, Bina Graha building, Jakarta, Tuesday, September 24.

Moeldoko stopped short of detailing whether the meeting will invite figures from separatist groups. “It requires technique,” he said, adding that the government will mull over it as it is related to resolution steps. “We will further think about the substance.”

Previously, DPRD speaker Maybrat Ferdinando Solossa said his side had submitted eight requests from Papuan and West Papuan people to Moeldoko to be conveyed to the President. The demands include urging the government to hold a dialogue with the separatist group.

“The dialogue should also involve an independent, neutral, and objective third party in resolving the root of problems on politics, human rights, and democracy in Papua,” Ferdinando remarked.

President Jokowi had previously held a session with several customary leaders, religious figures, and students of Papua on September 10. However, some parties criticized the meeting since it did not bring up issues about recent Papua unrest but rather the construction of the Presidential Palace in Jayapura.

Ferdinando also lamented the session because the invited figures did not expose whole problems in Papua, and not every regional head across Papua and West Papua was invited. “In principle, we did not reject what has been delivered but at least make coordination, a comprehensive meeting with regional heads.”

AHMAD FAIZ