JAYAPURA – The Deputy Governor of Papua, Aryoko Rumaropen, emphasized the importance of strengthening population administration and providing valid, integrated, accurate, and accountable data on Indigenous Papuans (OAP) at the Papua-wide Indigenous Papua Data Coordination Meeting.
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor stated that OAP data is strategically important as the main foundation for more just and pro-indigenous development in Papua.
According to him, data is not merely administrative figures, but is the basis for determining policy direction, formulating development programs, and ensuring that development benefits truly benefit Indigenous Papuans.
This coordination meeting also serves as part of efforts to support the Papua Provincial Government’s vision of “Realizing a Smart, Prosperous, and Harmonious Papuan Transformation (Bright Papua).”
Strengthening OAP data is considered a crucial step in realizing targeted, inclusive, and equitable development.
The Deputy Governor emphasized that the development of a single database of Indigenous Papuans requires strong synergy between the central government, provincial government, district/city governments, traditional institutions, community leaders, and all stakeholders in Papua.
Furthermore, the data collection approach must respect the customary values, culture, history, and identity of the Papuan people by involving indigenous communities in the verification and social legitimacy process.
“Through this coordination forum, it is hoped that a number of important agreements will be reached, including the standardization of definitions and criteria for Indigenous Papuans, standardization of data collection and verification methods, development of an integrated data system across regions, and the development of a concrete, measurable, and sustainable action plan,” he said.
