Biak Numfor — Chairman of the Saireri Customary Region Regents Association, Markus Mansnembra, affirmed that the struggle to establish the New Autonomous Region (DOB) of North Papua Islands Province (PKPU) represents the genuine aspiration of the Saireri people, not the interest of any particular group or individual.
“This is the aspiration of the Saireri community — not anyone’s personal interest, but our collective need as the people of Saireri,” he stated during an interview in Biak, Thursday (October 16, 2025).
He explained that the basis for this struggle is solid, as the Saireri customary region remains the only region in Papua that has not yet been divided into a new province.
“We know that Papua Province has been divided into six new provinces based on six customary regions. Meanwhile, Papua has seven customary regions, and only Saireri remains within the original Papua Province,” he noted.
As the Regent of Biak Numfor, Markus added that the regents who are members of the Saireri Customary Region Association have a moral and political responsibility to advocate for this aspiration to the central government, ensuring that the Saireri people receive equal rights with other regions that have already become new autonomous provinces.
He further revealed that the regents across the Saireri region had previously held a meeting with Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Yan Mandenas, who is also one of the initiators of the PKPU formation. The meeting discussed various steps and mechanisms to be taken, including the preparation of an academic study as one of the administrative requirements.
“We are following all the necessary procedures and requirements. Once the team completes its work, the results will be submitted back to the province,” he explained.
As the association’s chairman, Markus expressed his optimism that the North Papua Islands Province will be realized next year, emphasizing that this movement represents the rights and needs of the Saireri people, not the ambition of a few individuals.
“We are optimistic that the PKPU Province will be realized. It is the right and need of the Saireri people not a matter of personal interest. That must be clearly distinguished,” he concluded.
