Present at PLBN Skouw, the Social Affairs Minister Officially Became an Honorary Citizen with the Surname Numberi

JAYAPURA (22 March 2022) -- Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini visited the Skouw Cross-Border Post (PLBN) in the Tami District of Jayapura. Her presence was welcomed by the Head of PLBN, Iyan Numberi.

Iyan, dressed in traditional Papuan attire, presented the Minister with a cassowary crown. As a child of the Saireri tradition, he confirmed that Social Affairs Minister Risma is a Papuan and has the right to use the surname Numberi.

"By offering thanks to Almighty God, I, as a traditional child of the Saireri Tribe and as Head of the Border of the Republic of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, appoint and enthrone Mrs. Risma, Tri Rismaharini, Minister of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia as part of the Papuan people and entitled to use the surname Numberi," he said when receiving the Minister at PLBN Skouw, Tuesday afternoon (21/3).

As a Papuan, Iyan asked the Minister to develop Papua, especially to bring welfare to the Papuan people. "Now Papua is your responsibility. You are part of the Papuan people. If other regions are built, build Papua the same way," he said.

The Minister is particularly concerned with the progress and well-being of communities in the frontier, outermost, and least developed (3T) regions. Parts of Papua are included. “The welfare and advancement of people in the 3T area is a form of implementing justice principles. This includes our border brothers and sisters like Skouw," remarked the Minister of Social Affairs.

Since being appointed as Minister of Social Affairs by President Jokowi at the end of 2020, the Minister has started many empowerment programs for Papua. Among these are the training and construction of fiber boats in Papua. The MoSA is teaching Papuan youngsters from Membrano, Asmat, and Jayapura how to build fiber boats. The study was conducted at ITS Surabaya and Cendrawasih University. Fiber vessels are made for fishing vessels and vessels that transport people and goods.

MoSA also distributed BangkITS Cendrawasih e-Trail electric motorbikes for moving commodities, solar cells, and powerhouses for people in Papua. MoSA is also constructing a new Rumah Sehat Doyo housing complex for victims of flash floods in Sentani. The Minister also constructed numerous social granaries to help the Papuans cope with calamities.

The above is just a list of the many MoSA programs provided to the Papuan people. Since taking office, the Minister has visited Papua more than eight times, including one to Puncak Jaya.

President Jokowi inaugurated the PLBN Skouw on 9 May 2017. It became one of two State Border Posts located in Papua Province. While at PLBN, the Minister saw directly the border between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.