Situation is Conducive, Social Affairs Minister Urges Residents Not to Leave Wamena

JAKARTA (October 4, 2019) - Minister of Social Affairs Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita appealed to residents who exodus from Wamena to return to their place of origin. The Minister stated that the situation in Wamena was conducive.

"I urge people who exodus to be able to return. Because indeed the security situation has gradually improved. Yes, fear is human. But the government and security forces have committed to providing a sense of security," said the Minister of Social Affairs, after leading the Inauguration and Taking Oath of Office of Intermediate High Officials, in Jakarta, Friday (4/10).

On that occasion, the Minister of Social Affairs inaugurated Harry Z. Soeratin, who was previously the Head of the Social Education, Research and Counseling Agency, became a Senior Advisor to the Minister for Social Welfare Technology, replacing Syahabudin based on Presidential Decree No. 121/TPA/Year 2019.

Furthermore, related to Wamena, the Minister of Social Affairs hopes that people who do not have urgent interests should not leave Wamena. "Security guarantees apply not only to Wamena but also Papua as a whole," he said.

The Minister emphasized that Wamena and Papua in general need many resources that have the capacity to encourage progress for this region in eastern Indonesia. "Most of those who exodus from Wamena is economic actors. We all need these economic actors, so that community welfare can move forward," said the Minister.

The Minister invited all parties regardless of their background to advance Papua. To see firsthand the development of Wamena, the Minister stated that he would make a visit in the near future. On the other hand, the Minister stated, to overcome victims of social conflict, the Ministry of Social Affairs has distributed a number of assistance.

Together with a number of universities, the Ministry of Social Affairs has sent a Psychosocial Support Service team. "I received a special order from the President to pay attention to the people affected by the riots," said the Minister.

Apart from that, said the Minister, based on proposals from the local area, the Ministry of Social Affairs has distributed rocks for basic needs. "The value is around IDR 3.5 billion, which consists of various forms," said the Minister.

Of course, the Ministry of Social Affairs remains committed to adding assistance if there is a need. "Of course, if there is a proposal, we will add it. What form we don't know yet. But my guess is that it will not be far from the previous assistance," he said.

The assistance sent is in the form of fulfilling basic needs in the form of logistical assistance for vulnerable groups and restoring residents' economic businesses. The initial stage of assistance was provided in the form of building a Public Kitchen for 5,000 people, 1,500 packages of children's clothing, 1,500 packages of men's clothing, 1,500 packages of women's clothing, 2,500 mattresses, 1,500 roll tents/tarpaulins, 2,500 blankets, 100 units of Productive Economic Business Assistance.

The Ministry of Social Affairs also distributed compensation to the heirs of the dead. The number of victims who died was 32 people, while the compensation was IDR 15 million per person.

Acting Head of Public Relations Bureau RI Ministry of Social Affairs
Sonny W. Manalu