AT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY GUIDANCE HOLDS AN AUDIENCE WITH THE ACTING REGIONAL SECRETARY OF WEST PAPUA

Manokwari, (DBK)— On Monday, May 13, 2024, the Director General of Christian Community Guidance, Jeane Marie Tulung, held an audience with the Governor of West Papua, represented by Acting Regional Secretary Jacob Fonataba, in the Meeting Room of the Governor's Office of West Papua. Additionally, the audience was attended by the Regent of Manokwari, Hermus Endou, the West Papua Forkopimda, Secretary of the Directorate General of Christian Community Guidance, Johni Tilaar, Director of Christian Religious Affairs, Amsal Yowei, Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of West Papua, Luksen Jems Mayor, the Board of the National Pesparawi Development Board (LPPN), the Board of the Regional Pesparawi Development Board (LPPD), and the entire Regional Committee. The Governor appreciated the Director General of Christian Community Guidance for her direct visit to review the preparations by the Committee and the Regional Government of West Papua, as conveyed by the Acting Regional Secretary. The Acting Regional Secretary stated, "The visit of the Director General and her entourage gives us encouragement and motivation to work harder to make the National Pesparawi in Papua a success." The Regent of Manokwari also stated that the mandate to host the National Pesparawi for Manokwari and West Papua Province is an honour and a trust for the people of Papua. The Regent said, "We express our appreciation to the Minister of Religious Affairs, the Director General of Christian Community Guidance, the LPPN Board, and all the ranks of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Manokwari, and West Papua for being given the mandate to host the 14th National Pesparawi in 2025." “We want to prove that Papua can be a good host for national events,” he added. According to Brigadier General Alfred Papare, Deputy Chief of Police of West Papua, representing the Chief of Police of West Papua, they fully support the 2025 Pesparawi event.

The Deputy Chief of Police stated, "We have gone through the presidential election relatively safely, and this will be a benchmark for the implementation of local elections and Pesparawi. We believe this can be carried out safely and orderly." Additionally, Major General TNI Cahyono Daru, Head of BIN West Papua, stated that everyone is pleased with the designation of West Papua as the venue for Pesparawi. The Central Government is well aware of the conditions in this place. We certainly appreciate the Ministry of Religious Affairs because this did not happen suddenly. He stated, "When asked if Manokwari could hold this event, we answered positively." Colonel Infantry Jimmy, representing the Regional Military Commander, said that the trust given to West Papua as the host of Pesparawi is an extraordinary honour from a security and defence perspective. “Security in Papua is supported through Pesparawi. Thank you, Director General,” he said. The Director General stated that, after reviewing all reports and feedback, she believes that the implementation of the National Pesparawi in West Papua will go well. I thank you for this information. The Director General said, "I am confident that this Pesparawi in West Papua will be carried out in the best possible way, considering the aspects of security, accommodation, and others that have been conveyed." Furthermore, the Director General stated that the Minister of Religious Affairs fully supports the implementation of the National Pesparawi in West Papua. She stated, "The Minister of Religious Affairs hopes this Pesparawi will succeed without leaving any problems behind, including that the budget is managed well and maximized." The Director General added that choosing West Papua as the host is a blessing from God. “It's not just about finding a winner, but West Papua Province will increasingly be a blessing for all Christians and all religious communities in Indonesia, so that the land of Papua is increasingly blessed and God's glory is proclaimed in this city,” she added. She concluded, "We hope that the Regional Government of West Papua, the Regency Government of Manokwari, and Forkopimda will continue to assist us, the Directorate General of Christian Community Guidance, LPPN, and LPPD, to ensure the Pesparawi runs smoothly and successfully." After the welcoming remarks, the technical meeting continued in the Regent's meeting room, led by the Director General and the Regent. The meeting was also attended by the Head of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Regional Office of Papua, Luksen Jems Mayor, the LPPN Board, LPPD, and the Regional Committee to ensure concrete steps for further preparations. After the activities at the Regent's Office, the Director General and her entourage proceeded to the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of West Papua Province, where they were welcomed by the Head of the Regional Office. They then visited the LPPD office in West Papua, which will serve as the Secretariat for the National Pesparawi.