The Working Team of the Regional Representative Board (DPD) visited Asiki Clinic, a clinic owned by Korindo in Asiki District, in Papua’s remote area in Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border region on Wednesday (6/12). The senators’ visit was a response to the aspirations from the indigenous peoples of Merauke and Boven Digoel who feel worried with the negative campaign from a number of foreign NGOs.
“Korindo was present in Papua in 2005 during Indonesia’s monetary crisis. There was no single investment in Papua, and they dared to set foot in a difficult region, entering Merauke area,” said Vice Chairman of Committee II DPD, I Kadek Arimbawa.
In addition to interacting with the local community, Kadek continued, his team also received various information regarding the action of the mischievous NGOs. Allegations of human rights abuse or deforestation are unfounded.
“We have to look from upstream to downstream, NGO statements turned to be false after I came on the spot. Neither the print media nor the online media published news on massive forest burning in Merauke region. They have plywood factory, why would they burn their raw material?,”he said.
“In terms of logging, I saw the factory myself. All diameters are above 60 centimeters, whereas according to the regulations, anything under 40 centimeters should not be cut down. Regarding human rights, it is precisely what the Papuans reported to the DPD, the statement of the NGOs has brought uncertainty of Korindo’s investment in the future,” the Balinese senator added.
Kadek hoped that the government would take action against the NGOs’ black campaign which has caused a disturbance in the investment climate in Papua. He said the Committee II DPD will release the result of the visit and serve as an input for the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
“And after, we must take steps to ensure that the investment can be continued,” he said.
Asiki Korindo Clinic is considered to be at the same level as Primary Hospital. Provided for free for people in many villages, this clinic has medical personnel and well-equipped facilities, such as outpatient room, inpatient room, maternity room, infant care, minor surgery, emergency, ultrasound, to mobile service facilities.
“This is a real manifestation of the private sector’s role to help the succession of Healthy Indonesia Program. We are continuing to improve health service and health education, working together with the service, clinics and surrounding community health centers,” said the Asiki Clinic Manager, Dr. Firman Jayawijaya.
As explained, Asiki Clinic focuses on eight priorities. Among them are to reduce maternal mortality rate, mothers during labor and newborns, and the improvement of people’s nutritional status and control of infectious diseases and non-infectious diseases followed with environmental sanitation.
