REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KUPANG — President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will visit Jayapura, Papua in early September. This would be his first working visit after riots in the region, related to racism issue.
“We arrange to inaugurate Holtekamp Bridge there. Maybe in early next month,” said Jokowi on Wednesday (August 21).
Jokowi said he continued to monitor the situation in Papua and West Papua after the riots. He also contacted West Papua Governor to know further the situation in the region. Based on the information, he said the current situation in a number of regions, namely Manokwari, Sorong, and Fakfak is conducive.
“I’ve contacted West Papua Governor to ask about situation in Manokwari, Sorong, and Fakfak. The situation in the regions is getting better,” Jokowi added.
Riots broke out in a number of regions in West Papua, started from Manokwari, Sorong, and Papua’s capital of Jayapura on last Monday (August 19). The local people comprising protested against the recent case of racial abuse of Papuan students in East Java.
The protesters also blocked a number of major streets in the city and also cutting down trees to be used as barricades. West Papua Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) building in the city was also set on fire and tires were burned on the roads.
The protests then spreaded to other cities in Papua, namely Sorong, South Sorong, Merauke, Fakfak, and Biak on Tuesday (August 20). People in those regions called for an end to the racist abuse of Papuans.
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