Re-vote in Papua province
SBS Indonesian
11:57 Indonesian Papua, a region riddled with various problems such as violence and facing quite heavy domestic burdens such as poverty and various limitations, should instead return to Re-Vote, or PSU, the provincial governor and deputy governor elections on August 6, 2025 or next week. There are 2 pairs of candidates who will contest the re-vote on August 6, 2025 or next week. The two were Benhur Tomi Mano paired with Constant Karma and Mathius Fakhiri paired with Aryono Alberto Ferdinand Rumaropen.
All hope that this re-vote can be carried out peacefully, given that Papuans buy more records of violence associated with the conduct of local elections.
Security officers guard ballots in Papua. Credit: Papua Regional Government Public Relations Office. Festus Ngorreklame, Director of Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Papua in Jayapura called on all parties, to take the PSU seriously, so that the error on November 27, 2024 is not repeated. 'We have to think back to back, where in the general elections yesterday there were things that were at issue, finally it got to the Court and finally it was decided again to do PSU. We need to understand that so that it can be a benchmark for us, especially for the government, or for those who come forward as candidates, so that these things can be noticed, so that they will not be repeated,' he said when contacted. He reminded, implementing the PSU leaves the community or voters at a disadvantage, such as time and opportunity. 'All parties must be able to work together so that we can ensure that the PSU takes place transparently, fairly and free from any intimidation that will occur,' he added. PSU in Papua came about because of a lawsuit filed by the couple of candidate number 2, Mathius D. Fakhiri and Aryoko Alberto Ferdinand Rumaropen, to the Court. On February 24, 2025, the Court granted part of the lawsuit, which obliged the Commission to repeat the conduct of the vote. The Court also disqualified the number one candidate for deputy governor of Papua, Yermias Bisai, because the terms of his candidacy were deemed invalid. This atmosphere heated up the contestants of the two candidates in Papua.
'We look at the side where this nomination, from the nomination to today we see the euphoria is indeed hot. So we hope this doesn't bring up unwanted things together,' Festus said.
Poster for the implementation of the PSU for Papua Province on August 6, 2025. Credit: Papua KPU LBH Papua invites the whole community to actively participate in supervising the PSU this time. When asked about the situation of people in Jayapura and Papua in general, Festus said, 'If we see that the situation is indeed fine, only more on social media it is very hot, considering that the time is approaching for PSU. Don't let that overheated euphoria on social media appear suddenly in the community environment. We hope this will be safe and sound.' Fortunately, in Festus' view, Papa's society was mature enough in the face of existing differences. Support against any of the candidates appears not excessive. All parties are also expected to learn from the conduct of elections in Papua in the past, which generally went quite well. Although, Festus admits there are always disturbing events. One of the important issues for Papua going forward, is the security sector. The security approach that has been taken so far has not had a positive impact. Festus gave an example, the demonstration of Papuan students should not be considered a security disturbance. Such actions are guaranteed his freedom by law. Another important issue is the issue of regional autonomy. The central government has indeed granted a special status, in the form of autonomy, to Papa. 'Only if we look at it more as a form of formality. Because the point is that more if it is true that the government gives special autonomy to the local government then give confidence to the local government to take care of everything. Let not all the rules or orders come from above, so that the local government is only a puppet that only follows what is ordered,' Festus stressed. Therefore, LBH Papua demands elected governors and deputy governors, not puppets from Jakarta, but leaders who are expected to be able to bring comfort and tranquility in Papua. 'We from LBH Papua hope that after the PSU and finally the elected leadership emerges, we hope that we will have a good democracy. Lest there be any of the losing parties that turn up things are not good. We must be generous to accept whoever is elected,' Festus added.
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Nurhadi Sucahyo
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