Dinamika Masyarakat Papua pada Era Otonomi Khusus

Abstract

Papua is a name of people who live in the most eastern island of Indonesia and at the same time a name for the island itself. The name was acquired through a long process. During the Dutch colonial era, it is called West New Guinea, and during the New Order, it is called West Irian. Only during Gus Dur as president of Indonesian Republic, the name was reintroduced. With the name, people of Papua gain new spirit especially after the implementation of special autonomy which entitles the Papuans to build itself. However the implementation of special autonomy did not necessarily improve the situation. The issue of democratization is still not implemented properly; problems of poverty still haunts the Papuans, and conflicts of identity switches from vertical to a horizontal conflict. Uncontrolled excess of the problems will be harmful for the lives of the Papuan people.