Sentani, Jubi – Young activist from Jayapura Regency, Manase Bernard Taime, has questioned the performance of the Special Group Faction of the Jayapura Regency Legislative Council (DPR) in overseeing the management of Papua’s Special Autonomy Fund.

Taime made the statement while speaking in Sentani, the capital of Jayapura Regency, Papua, on Wednesday (13/5/2026).

The Special Group Faction consists of eight appointed members of the Jayapura Regency DPRK. The appointment mechanism is part of Papua’s Special Autonomy framework, aimed at ensuring the representation of Indigenous Papuans in regional legislatures across Papua while also safeguarding the implementation of Special Autonomy policies.

However, Taime said the faction’s role in monitoring the management of the Papua Special Autonomy Fund, commonly known as Dana Otsus Papua, has not been visible.

“There has been no clear advocacy for Indigenous communities, particularly regarding programs and budgets sourced from the Special Autonomy Fund,” Taime said.

According to him, Papua’s Special Autonomy Law clearly regulates the duties and functions of appointed DPRK members, especially in relation to overseeing the management of the Special Autonomy Fund. Taime stressed that appointed legislators must ensure proper oversight of the fund, 80 percent of which is specifically allocated for Indigenous Papuans.

He explained that the funds are primarily intended for the health, education, and economic sectors. The Special Group Faction, he said, should also supervise the implementation of regional regulations, the approval of the Regional Budget (APBD), regent policies, and projects financed through the Special Autonomy Fund.

In addition, they are responsible for monitoring the absorption of the funds to ensure they effectively improve the welfare of Indigenous Papuans.

“Within the Special Autonomy allocation there are specific programs, grants, and block grants. Are these being monitored or not?” Taime asked.

Taime said the public has complained that the management of the Papua Special Autonomy Fund has failed to significantly improve education, healthcare services, or economic empowerment for Indigenous Papuans. He also criticized the Jayapura Regency Government’s decision to stop distributing Special Autonomy funds to district administrations for further allocation to village governments.

“The eight members of the Special Group Faction must speak up. They must question why the regional government has stopped channeling the Special Autonomy Fund to the districts,” he said.

Taime stated that his group plans to hold a peaceful demonstration to pressure the eight members of the Special Group Faction to actively oversee the management of the Special Autonomy Fund. He said this was necessary to ensure that the funds truly reach Indigenous Papuans in Jayapura Regency.

“The benefits of the Special Autonomy Fund absorption in this region have not yet been felt,” he said.

Namblong District Head Wellem Wouw acknowledged that his administration no longer receives Special Autonomy funds to distribute to village governments, despite the benefits those funds previously provided.

“There should be legislative agendas where council members go directly to districts and communities to examine how the Special Autonomy Fund is being absorbed,” Wouw said.

Wouw also said members of the Special Group Faction should play a more active role in safeguarding public aspirations and monitoring the management of the Special Autonomy Fund. According to him, they need to better identify community problems and needs that could be addressed through the fund.

“Besides education, health, and the economy, there are still other sectors that could benefit from the Special Autonomy Fund to improve community welfare,” he said.

He expressed hope that the eight members of Special Group Faction of the Legislative Council of the Jayapura Regency would improve their oversight of the Papua Special Autonomy Fund, especially since the funds are no longer being distributed to village governments. (*)