Jayapura, Jubi – Papua needs practical action rather than political disputes and heated debate, according to Papuan political figure Laurenzus Kadepa.
Kadepa said too much energy was being spent building political narratives and personal popularity while longstanding problems facing communities remained unresolved.
He said Papua was not short of people willing to speak, political platforms, conferences, political statements or media coverage.
“What remains a major task is ensuring that the fundamental problems facing communities are actually addressed. For me, politics must return to substance and putting people’s interests first,” Kadepa told Jubi via a messaging application on Tuesday (22/9/2026).
Kadepa said success should not be measured by how often a politician appeared in the media, but by how far government policies improved people’s lives.
He said communities in remote areas still needed greater attention to education. Papuan children were entitled to proper schools, enough teachers, adequate educational facilities and equal opportunities to build their futures.
“In healthcare, communities need medical workers, medicines, health facilities and services that genuinely reach villages. Problems such as malnutrition, stunting and endemic diseases cannot be solved through slogans alone,” he said.
In the economic sector, Kadepa said Papuans should play a central role in development. Local commodities should be developed, community businesses strengthened, and Papuan entrepreneurs given fair access, opportunities and space to grow.
He said the same applied to Indigenous rights and customary land disputes. Development should not disregard the rights of Indigenous communities who live on and have customary ties to their land.
Every policy, he said, should be based on transparency, dialogue, respect for customary rights and legal certainty.
“I believe Papua needs the courage to solve problems, not simply the courage to talk about them. We need politics that is calm but firm,” he said.
Kadepa said criticism should be aimed at improving conditions rather than simply attracting attention. Dialogue should provide a space for finding solutions, rather than becoming a platform for people to blame one another.
He said humanity, justice, education, healthcare, the people’s economy, customary rights and peace should be the key measures of government policy in Papua.
“We should not become so focused on winning arguments in the media while people are still struggling to make a living and get through their everyday lives. Papua does not need political noise. Papua needs practical action, commitment to its people and consistency,” Kadepa said. (*)
