Indonesian President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo is targeting an immediate infrastructure recovery in a previously riot zone Wamena, Papua. The president made the statement on his last day of his three-day visit to easternmost part of Indonesia’s.
Among all the places where the riot took place, Jokowi and wife visited Wouma Market in Wamena. Wouma Market belongs to one of the sites jeopardized during the calamitous riot last month.
“Wouma Market is a place where residents sell farming products produced by people in Wamena and its surrounding areas. That is why we are prioritizing (the reparation),” Jokowi told reporters.
Jokowi added that he had already scheduled a two-week reparation to Indonesian Army’s engineering directorate. Besides, he also urged the army to work together with state-owned enterprises to repair houses and shops as well.
“If everyone here stays committed to remaining united and to work together to develop Papua, I think that we will soon achieve prosperity,” Jokowi added.
Also Read: Indonesia’s New Cabinet: Aim for Great Economy
The Riot in Wamena
The riot in Wamena happened on September, 23. Local news, according to government’s data, reported that the death toll reaches roughly 33, 25 among them are non-natives. In addition, thousand residents also fled their homes due to fear.
Papuan Governor, Lukas Enembe, expressed his deepest condolences and apologized for the unforeseen riot. Enembe stated that the riot has paralyzed nearly half of the economic activities and disturbed the region’s stability.
“My sincere apology and condolences to the victims of the riots in Wamena on September, 23,” he said.
Prior to the riot, there was a protest following a racist comment uttered by a teacher to Papuan senior high school students in East Java. The racist comment fueled fire to many people in Wamena, demanding for justice and anti-discriminatory acts. However, whether the protest and the riot are related remains unknown.
In response to the disastrous event, both governor and president promised that the national army and police will strengthen security. The joint officers have been continually patrolling the areas and building posts in several potentially dangerous spots.
“I think that the national army and police personnel are ready to guarantee security so that economic activities can carry on normally. Indonesia is a big country. So if there is a problem, we will resolve it. The important thing is that the problem is resolved,” Jokowi said.
Wamena is the capital of Jayawijaya Regency, Papua. Despite being a territory in Papua, the economic activities mostly have been run by non-natives since the last 20 years. This is so for the region has been accepting a huge investment from the government, attracting people from outside Papua to stay there due to economic opportunities.
Also Read: Riots in Papua to Affect Economy