Jakarta — The development of the Core Area of the Government Center (Kawasan Inti Pusat Pemerintahan/KIPP) of Papua Highlands is not viewed merely as an infrastructure project, but also as a symbol of the state’s presence becoming closer to the people. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Ribka Haluk, confirmed the readiness for the development of the Papua Highlands KIPP as a representative and inclusive center of government services for the local community.
The planned KIPP development will include several key facilities, such as the Governor’s Office, the Papua People’s Assembly (MRP) Office, and the Papua Regional House of Representatives (DPRP) Office. At present, the entire planning process has entered the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) stage.
“We continue to push this forward at the central government level. Most likely, construction can begin this year. Among all newly established autonomous regions, Papua Highlands is one of the most prepared,” Ribka Haluk said in a written statement on Friday (February 6, 2026).
She expressed her appreciation for the readiness of the Papua Highlands Provincial Government, which has been assessed as having met all technical and administrative requirements.
“Praise be to God, the Governor, the Regional Secretary, and the entire team have worked very well. All criteria have been fulfilled, and the DED is ready,” she added.
Ribka conveyed the statement after directly inspecting the planned site for the Papua Highlands KIPP development in the Gunung Susu area, Hubikosi District, Jayawijaya Regency. The site visit was conducted to ensure location readiness while aligning planning efforts between the central and regional governments.
In addition to reviewing the KIPP site, Ribka also continued her visit by inspecting preparations for the groundbreaking of the Tom Bozeman Hall at the Tom Bozeman Bible College (STA) / Christian Theological Senior High School (SMTK) in Sinakma, Jayawijaya Regency. The construction of the hall is expected to support educational activities and human resource development in the Papua Highlands.
Ribka explained that the next stages of the KIPP development will be followed up by the relevant technical ministry, namely the Ministry of Public Works (PU). After the DED stage, the process will proceed to tendering and then to the implementation of physical construction on site.
She also emphasized that, based on the outcomes of a hearing meeting with the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), all government offices in the newly autonomous regions are targeted to be operational by 2027.
“This development is a shared effort. The central government is responsible for constructing the buildings, while the regional government is responsible for furnishing and organizing the facilities inside. This is a collaborative effort to improve public services,” Ribka explained.
According to her, the presence of a proper government center will make it easier for the public to access government services and will accelerate development in the Papua Highlands region.
Regarding the construction of the Tom Bozeman Hall, Ribka stated that the plan originated from an aspiration conveyed by the school during a previous visit by the Minister of Public Housing and Settlement Areas together with the Minister of Home Affairs.
“The name will remain Tom Bozeman Hall, Wamena. At that time, there was a spontaneous proposal for a different name, but since it involves the name of the President, it must go through formal procedures and official approval,” she said.
During the visit, Ribka Haluk was accompanied by the Acting Regional Secretary of Papua Highlands, Wasuok D. Siep, the Head of the Papua Highlands Public Works and Public Housing Agency, Tunggul Wijaya Panggabean, as well as several heads of Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD) within the Papua Highlands Provincial Government.
Through the development of the KIPP and other supporting facilities, the government hopes that the presence of the state will be increasingly felt by the people of Papua Highlands—not only through physical buildings, but through public services that are closer, more humane, and oriented toward the welfare of the community.
