Mahfud MD: Indonesia Approves The Expansion for 3 Provinces in Papua

JAKARTADAILY.ID - The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD revealed that the government had approved the new autonomous regions or area expansion for three provinces in Papua, from previously two provinces being approved.

Mahfud MD said that there were indeed pros and cons related to the expansion in Papua, as the idea was not immediately approved by everyone in the government as well as among the public.

"Indeed, there are pros and cons [from government and public], some agree and some do not. But there is nothing in this country that is immediately approved by everyone," said Mahfud MD at a press conference aired on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel, Monday, April 25, 2022.

Therefore, Mahfud MD said, as previously explained by the Indonesian President Joko Widodo based on the data related to the area expansion, there had been a lot of contention from many regions. In total, there were 354 applications for area expansion.

"Frankly, the request for expansion for various regions has been a matter of contention. There are 354 requests for expansion," said Mahfud MD.

Based on the needs, he said, the government has now granted the expansion of three provinces in Papua. "Based on the needs in Papua, we have granted three provinces. West Papua asks for it to be expanded. If some agree and disagree, it is normal," said Mahfud.

"The results of the survey conducted by the presidential institution stated that 82 percent of the people of Papua have asked for area expansion," he said.

However, there were also many Papuans holding demonstrations to support or protest the new autonomous regions plan.

Mahfud MD explained that President Jokowi was invited by the Papuan People's Assembly (MRP) so that when he would be in Papua he could visit the MRP office.

"The president said that he was ready when the time is up. Since Papua is a part of his special attention as a President," he said.

The article was translated from Pikiran-Rakyat.com's article titled "Mahfud MD: Kita Kabulkan Pemekaran di Papua untuk 3 Provinsi".
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