Kenyam – Two ministers from President Prabowo’s cabinet, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, visited Nduga Regency in the Papua Highlands on Saturday (June 7, 2025). Their visit reflects the government’s strong presence and commitment to promoting security, education, and development in a region that continues to face significant challenges.
During their visit to the region, both ministers and their entourage wore bulletproof vests as a security precaution due to the high-risk environment.
In the capital city of Kenyam, the Ministers visited the Mobile Task Force Post of Infantry Battalion 733/Masariku and met with members of the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda).
The Deputy Regent of Nduga, Yoas Beon, Acting Regional Secretary, Speaker of the Regional House of Representatives, heads of several regional agencies, and various security forces in Nduga were also present at the meeting.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani emphasized that the central government is committed to directly understanding the challenges faced by local communities and finding solutions to help the region grow. She stressed the importance of education access for the youth of Nduga so that they can compete and build a better future.
“I came here personally with the Minister of Defense to observe the conditions in Nduga firsthand and assess what actions we can take to support the community in areas such as education, health, infrastructure, and overall welfare,” she stated.
Sri Mulyani acknowledged that Nduga heavily relies on central government transfers to support local administration, but also emphasized that peace and security are essential prerequisites for development.
“I have seen and understood what the people of Nduga need, and I sincerely hope that the security and development situation here continues to improve,” she added.
Echoing her remarks, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stated that their visit aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the local situation and ensure that the central government can take concrete steps to enhance stability and security in Nduga.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Regent of Nduga presented a list of public aspirations and regional needs, which were directly received by the Finance Minister as a sign of the government’s concern for the development of Nduga.
Following the meeting, both ministers departed for Timika before returning to Jakarta, bringing with them various community inputs expected to help shape future policies. The visit marks a significant step toward ensuring that Nduga receives the national attention it needs to overcome its security challenges and strengthen human resource development.
