Jayapura, Jubi – The face of the capital of Papua Province cannot be separated from the role of Lukas Enembe, Governor of Papua Province for 2014-2023, and the late Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Acub Zainal, Governor of Irian Jaya for 1973-1975.
Towards the end of Lukas Enembe’s leadership, the Irian Jaya Governor’s office left by Acub Zainal was completely overhauled. The nearly 50-year-old building must be demolished and renovated into a multi-storey and modern building.
Although the demolition received protests and challenges, the governor’s office inherited from Acub Zainal was considered old and risky so it had to be built anew.
“For me, what Governor Lukas Enembe did was natural and something different because the Papua Governor’s office has historical value since the days of Nederlands Nieuw Guinea, UNTEA, and the transitional government to Indonesian government in the Papua Governor’s office now,” former Indonesian Ambassador to Colombia Michael Menufandu told Jubi at his residence in Dok V Atas, Jayapura City on Wednesday, December 28, 2022.
He added that Acub Zainal also led Papua for two years and built the office of the Governor of Irian Jaya Province and the APO Sports Building, renovated Mandala Stadium, and prepared athletes to prepare for the National Sports Week (PON).
During Enembe’s leadership era, almost all of the former buildings in Acub Zainal’s era were renovated and built new stadiums. The APO Sports Building was completely changed ahead of preparations for PON XX Papua 2021. It became a special venue for boxing, as well as the softball field, rugby field, and cricket in the Doyo area, Jayapura Regency.
Governor Lukas Enembe built Lukas Enembe Stadium for the opening and closing of PON, including Mandala Stadium and Kaltapal Stadium in Merauke. Almost all of the PON XX facilities in Jayapura, Mimika Regency, and Merauke Regency used the regional and state budget.
What differed the two figures was that Acub Zainal began building housing settlements for employees of Entrop Local Government and later Melati Local Government and Cigombong Kotaraja.
Acub Zainal himself led Irian Jaya Province at that time with nine regencies, namely Jayapura, Merauke, Sorong, Paniai, Fakfak, Jayawijaya, Biak Numfor, Yapen Waropen, and Manokwari.
When Lukas Enembe became Governor of Papua, Papua was divided into Papua and West Papua Provinces. Papua Province with 28 regencies and one city, while West Papua Province with 11 regencies and one city.
Towards the second term of office of Governor Lukas Enembe, the inauguration of the Papua Governor’s office, the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) office, and the Papua Provincial KPU office and other buildings was held.
Regardless of the pros and cons of the new building of the Papua Provincial Governor’s office, it can be a symbol of awakening and future challenges for Papua’s future. Starting from the breakthrough of the Governor of Irian Jaya, Acub Zainal, without adequate budget support, including no special autonomy funds and the Special Autonomy Law.
Lukas Enembe thrived in the midst of various problems. He continued to move forward with breakthroughs and all forms of change and challenges for the future of Papua.
Now the island has three provinces in what used to be Papua Province, while in West Papua Province, there is now the Southwest Papua Province. (*)
