Indonesian VP Gibran prepares for Papua role as pressure grows for peace talks
JAKARTA – Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has affirmed his readiness to oversee development and address ongoing human rights issues in Papua, as he prepares to lead the Special Autonomy Acceleration Board in accordance with existing legal mandates.
Coordinating Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Correctional Services Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra revealed recently that President Prabowo Subianto is finalizing Gibran's assignment to lead a special body mandated by the 2021 Papua Special Autonomy Law.
The law tasks the Vice President with overseeing the coordination, evaluation and harmonization of autonomy and development programs in the country's easternmost province.
'As the President's aide, I am ready to serve anywhere, anytime,' Gibran told reporters during a visit to Klaten Regency, Central Java, on Wednesday, adding that the same assignment was previously held by his predecessor, Ma'ruf Amin.
While President Prabowo has yet to issue a formal decree, Gibran said his office has already taken initiative by dispatching teams to Sorong in West Papua and Merauke in South Papua to assess local needs, deliver school supplies and laptops as well as evaluate the implementation of the government's free meal program.
When asked whether he would establish an office in Papua, Gibran said he was open to working from any location, be it Jakarta, Papua, or Nusantara in East Kalimantan, the country's future capital where the Vice Presidential Palace is currently under construction.
'It's important for me to regularly visit the regions, engage with business actors, listen to input, accept criticism and conduct evaluations. Being able to work from anywhere and connect with the people, that's what truly matters,' the 37-year-old added.
Presidential spokesperson and State Secretary Hadi Prasetyo emphasized on Wednesday that Gibran's assignment to Papua stems from a legal mandate, not a new initiative.
'We want to clarify that it is not accurate to say the President has [personally] assigned the task to Gibran, as the law clearly mandates that the Vice President is responsible for coordinating Papua's development,' Prasetyo said.
He further explained that while Gibran will not be permanently based in Papua, the Special Autonomy Acceleration Board's secretariat and operational staff will be stationed there. However, the Vice President may frequently visit or temporarily take up office in Papua as needed.
'It will not be a problem [for the Vice President] to occasionally visit, lead coordinating meetings or even temporarily work from Papua,' Prasetyo added.
Soldiers from the Indonesian Army's 112th Raider Infantry Battalion secure a ceremony at a military base in Japakeh, Aceh, on June 25, 2024, ahead of their deployment to Papua. (AFP/Chaideer Mahyuddin)
Papua, rich in natural resources, has experienced conflict between separatist groups and security forces since the 1970s, with tensions escalating sharply since 2018 as pro-independence armed groups increased attacks.
Many critics argue that the Indonesian Military's (TNI) heavy presence in the region has further deepened the crisis.
While the Vice President's presence in Papua may lend symbolic weight to government efforts to maintain stability, human rights groups emphasize that real progress requires a shift from security-focused policies to inclusive, rights-based governance.
Amnesty International Indonesia has urged the government to prioritize peaceful dialogue and ensure that Papuan voices are central to developing solutions.
'Dialogue is the most rational and humane path forward,' said Amnesty's Executive Director Usman Hamid on Wednesday, stressing that as long as the government continues a militaristic approach and fails to uphold human rights, the conflict will persist.
This view is echoed by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM), which demands that the President 'form a negotiation team to sit at the table with us.'
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