REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAYAPURA - Australia offers its support to President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's programs to accelerate the development of the eastern regions of Indonesia, including Papua, according to the deputy chief of the Papua Regional Police Command Brigadier General Paulus Waterpauw, after meeting with Australian Ambassador Greg Moriarty on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Ambassador Moriarty affirmed that Australia had, so far, extended considerable funding to projects in Papua and that inspecting the projects was part of the agenda for this visit. Waterpauw noted that besides supporting development projects, Australia had also expressed its commitment to support the Unitary State of Indonesia (NKRI), including the province of Papua.

In the meeting, which was also attended by regional police officials, Ambassador Moriarty admitted that he knew some areas in Papua, such as Puncak Jaya, were still vulnerable to security threats.

Brigadier Waterpauw pointed out that Australia also supported law enforcement efforts against human rights violators in Indonesia.

Ambassador Moriarty, began a visit to eastern Indonesia on Friday, starting in Makassar, South Sulawesi. The visit reinforces the significant historical relationship between Makassar and Australia.

“Traders from Makassar first made contact with Australia in the 1700s,” he said in a press statement last weekend.

The ambassador visited Papua province as part of Australia’s long-term support for economic development in eastern Indonesia. 

“Australia is working with the Indonesian Government, the provincial governments and local governments to support development in the Papuan provinces,” said Ambassador Moriarty.

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