Indonesia’s President-elect Prabowo Subianto says he wants to work with Papua New Guinea to seek advice and insights on how to respect the rights of indigenous people.
“We also would like your advice on culture because of your cultural, ethnic family and traditional relations with Papuans on our side of the border, your insights on culture, on respecting tradition and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples,” he said.
“I think it is very important for us, and we would like to always seek your advice on this matter.”
Subianto made the remarks when he paid a courtesy visit to the country’s capital Port Moresby.
He said both countries have a lot to discuss on education, mining industry, tourism and security.
“I also emphasised to our brothers here in West Papua that the Indonesian tradition is to solve all problems with compromise, collaboration, negotiation and persuasion,” he said
Subianto noted that they had resolved a long standing conflict in Aceh, Sumatra through this approach. They would like to give more and more autonomy and respect the needs of the people.
“This is what is most concerning to me, is how to bring economic benefits to all the peoples of our region,” he said.
He arrived in Port Moresby at Apec Terminal (Jackson International Airport) and was welcomed by Prime Minister James Marape, other State ministers and officials.
He was honoured with a 21-gun salute from PNG Defence Force before heading to Stanley Hotel and Suites for a meeting with Marape and State ministers and later addressed the media.
Marape said the two leaders’ discussions centred on the fundamentals of Indonesia and PNG relationship, including respecting each other’s sovereignty as the countries shared land border and people-to-people ties.
Marape said Subianto has accepted the invitation to be a part of 50th Independence anniversary celebrations next year.
