Papua Pegunungan focuses special autonomy funds on Papuan economy

Jayawijaya (ANTARA) - The Papua Pegunungan Provincial Government, through the Regional Development Planning, Research, and Innovation Agency (Bapperida), announced that its Rp500.63 billion special autonomy fund allocation for 2026 will prioritize several sectors, including improving the welfare and economic capacity of Indigenous Papuans.

Head of Papua Pegunungan Bapperida, Marthen Kogoya, said in a written statement received in Wamena on Monday (June 29) that the special autonomy funds will finance programs in economic empowerment, education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

"A portion of the special autonomy funds will be allocated to provide business capital, outreach, and economic assistance for Indigenous Papuans across Papua Pegunungan so they can better utilize available resources and turn them into sustainable sources of income," he said.

According to Marthen, the 2026 special autonomy fund allocation has been reduced by around 50 percent as part of the government's budget efficiency measures.

Despite the reduced allocation, economic empowerment programs for Indigenous Papuans will continue across the province's eight districts.

"Last year, Papua Pegunungan received Rp1.2 trillion in special autonomy funds. This year, the allocation has been reduced to Rp500.63 billion, so several programs will inevitably be discontinued. However, economic empowerment programs will continue," he said.

Marthen explained that the reduced allocation means some programs implemented over the past two years will no longer continue, as the provincial government must adjust its spending to the available budget.

He added that the regional administration remains committed to maintaining welfare and community empowerment programs despite the budget constraints.

Marthen also said Papua Pegunungan Governor John Tabo has instructed the provincial government to suspend new infrastructure projects financed through the special autonomy funds in all eight districts.

Instead, the provincial government will focus on completing infrastructure projects that began in 2025 but have not yet been finished.

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Translator: Bayu Prasetyo

Editor: Primayanti

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