Jakarta – The Papua Executive Committee (KEP) held a technocratic consolidation meeting with the Ministry of National Development Planning (PPN/Bappenas) to ensure that the 2026 Papua Development Acceleration Action Plan (RAPPP) is implemented effectively and on target.
The strategic meeting, held at the Bappenas Office in Jakarta on Monday (January 19, 2026), focused on aligning budget policy directions between the central and regional governments across the Land of Papua.
KEP Chair Velix Wanggai emphasized that the beginning of the year is a crucial momentum to integrate cross-sectoral programs, ranging from economic perspectives to the protection of indigenous peoples’ territorial rights.
The government aims for accelerated development in eastern Indonesia to reduce national disparities without damaging social ecosystems or the sustainability of Papua’s forests.
“We are targeting that by February to March there will already be a consolidated Papua development plan for 2027, as well as ongoing programs for 2026,” Velix said in a written statement.
KEP member Paulus Waterpauw highlighted extreme poverty as the main root problem hindering the achievement of the Human Development Index (HDI) in inland regions.
He assessed that economic conditions of communities living below the poverty line are the primary trigger for social friction and even security conflicts in various remote areas.
According to the retired three-star police general, large-scale investment will only flow into Papua if the central government seriously supports energy infrastructure development or provides adequate electricity supply.
“If people’s stomachs are full and they have income, their minds are calm and they can work well,” stressed Waterpauw, commonly known as PW, explaining the correlation between economic welfare and regional stability.
KEP also urged reforms to the Special Autonomy Development Planning Consultation (Musrenbang Otsus) mechanism so that it genuinely absorbs community aspirations starting from the village level.
Regional governments were asked to keep political interests out of the planning process so that real community needs—such as clean water, roads, and schools—can be realized concretely.
Meanwhile, KEP member for political, legal, and security affairs (Polhukam), Ignasius Yogo, dismissed the stigma that security conditions are the main obstacle to development in Papua.
The security situation in most parts of Papua is currently claimed to be sufficiently conducive to the implementation of strategic national development programs.
Ignasius emphasized that security disturbances occur only in limited areas and have been handled professionally by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri).
“Security issues should not be used as the main reason to hinder development because, in general, Papua is safe,” Ignasius said.
