Puan highlights major development in Papua during dialogue with Melanesian Parliaments
House Speaker Puan Maharani poses with delegates of Pacific countries in the opening of the 2nd Meeting of IPPP at Fairmont Hotel, Jakarta, Thursday (25/7/2024). Foto : Ist/Andri
Jakarta, July 25, 2024 – Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, Puan Maharani, engaged in a parliamentary dialogue with countries of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). During this dialogue, Puan highlighted significant development in Papua, which directly borders several Pacific countries.
The MSG dialogue took place on the sidelines of the Second Meeting of the Indonesia-Pacific Parliamentary Partnership (IPPP) hosted by the Indonesian House of Representatives at the Fairmont Jakarta. This forum is the House’s initiative to enhance parliamentary cooperation between Indonesia and Pacific countries.
“It is an honor for me to meet all delegates with the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity,” Puan said at the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Retreat Parliamentary Dialogue.
The MSG parliamentary dialogue was attended by Leaders and Members of Melanesian Parliaments participating in the Second Meeting of IPPP. Present in the dialogue were the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, Speaker of the Solomon Islands Parliament, John Patteson Oti, PNG Member of Parliament Johnson Wapunai, and MSG Director General Leonard Louma from PNG.
Puan was accompanied by Vice Speaker of the House Lodewijk F. Paulus and Chairperson of the Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation, Fadli Zon. Also present in the dialogue were the Chairman of the Indonesian National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), Atnike Nova Sigiro, and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Indonesia is an Associate Member of MSG, considering several eastern Indonesian provinces, including Maluku, North Maluku, East Nusa Tenggara, and six provinces in Papua, are part of the Pacific region and are included as Melanesian groups. Puan stated that this meeting is crucial for strengthening Indonesia’s cooperation with MSG countries.
“This meeting reflects Indonesia’s brotherhood with countries in the Pacific region. It will also contribute to positive nuance for the success of the ongoing IPPP meetings,” she stated.
Puan stated Indonesia’s strong identity as part of the Melanesian community and its inseparable connection to MSG. The government’s participation as an Associate Member underlines its commitment to supporting MSG’s vision and activities in Asia-Pacific.
“We fully support the grand vision of ‘Pacific Elevation’ proposed by the Indonesian government to enhance partnership with Pacific countries, particularly MSG members,” Puan emphasized.
“In midst of growing rivalries among major powers, Indonesia and MSG countries must become the driving factor for peace and stability in the Pacific region,” added Puan, the first woman to serve as DPR Chair.
During the dialogue, Puan addressed the significant development in Papua. Issues of Papua is a topic of considerable interest to Melanesian countries in international forums.
“Indonesia understands that MSG countries have special attention to our brothers and sisters in Papua. We highly appreciate MSG’s position affirming Indonesia’s sovereignty over Papua,” Puan said.
The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs asserted that the Indonesian government has prioritized development in outer parts of Indonesia, including Papua. Puan outlined that development in Papua includes thousands of roads and various infrastructure facilities such as hundreds of schools, several airports, ports, and equitable electricity distribution.
“Development in Papua has also significantly improved the Human Development Index and reduced poverty rates,” she noted.
In the political sphere, Puan mentioned that the Indonesian House plays a vital role in strengthening political institutions, democracy, and implementing Papua’s Special Autonomy.
“The House continues to push for development that respects the rights and dignity of Indigenous Papuans, encouraging them to become leaders in their own land,” said the Chair of the Second Meeting of IPPP.
Puan added that the House supports the full implementation of the Papua Special Autonomy Law through the establishment of the Papua People’s Assembly as a representative body for Papuans. The House also supports Papua’s special status by granting it the authority to formulate special regional legislation.
Furthermore, Puan highlighted that the House has approved the formation of four new provinces in Papua, namely South Papua, Central Papua, Mountainous Papua, and Southwest Papua to enhance equitable development, a fairer distribution of central and regional finances, and a more balanced income proportion.
