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Original Research

STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE: THE DIVISION OF THREE NEW AUTONOMOUS REGIONS IN THE BINTANG MOUNTAINS AS A CATALYST FOR SOCIAL PROGRESS IN OKMIN PAPUA ON THE OUTERMOST BORDER

PIUS ALMUNG 1, NICOLAUS SALAWALA 2, and OBETH LEPITALEN 3.

Vol 19, No 01 ( 2024 )   |  DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.10531926   |   Author Affiliation: Okmin University Papua, Pegunungan Bintang, Indonesia 1,2,3.   |   Licensing: CC 4.0   |   Pg no: 199-210   |   Published on: 05-01-2024

Abstract

The three new autonomous regions (DOBs) in Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Papua, are believed to be a catalyst for social progress for the Okmin community in the outermost border area. This study aimed to analyze the potential and challenges of the Pegunungan Bintang DOBs' expansion on the social progress of the Okmin community. This study used a qualitative method with a case study approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with key informants, observation, and document review. The results of the study showed that the expansion of the Pegunungan Bintang DOBs has the potential to improve the social progress of the Okmin community, especially in terms of access to education, health, and infrastructure. However, the expansion of the DOBs also faces a number of challenges, such as the potential for inter-ethnic conflict, corruption, and development inequality. To overcome these challenges, the government needs to carry out the planning and implementation of the DOBs' expansion with the active involvement of the Okmin community. The government also needs to ensure that the expansion of the DOBs is not only beneficial to political elites, but also to the wider community.


Keywords

Pegunungan Bintang; Social Progress; Expansion Challenges.