JAYAPURA — The Governor of West Java, Dedi Mulyadi, or KDM as he is familiarly known, invited all parties to preserve Papua's natural resources and not sacrifice the environment for the sake of short-term development interests.

This message was conveyed by KDM when he was a speaker at the Annual Strategic Papua Analysis (APS) Conference held in Jayapura, Papua, Friday (29/5/2026).

In his presentation, KDM highlighted development approaches that have been deemed too technocratic and often ignore the cultural values and knowledge of indigenous communities. He argued that indigenous communities possess wisdom that has been proven to protect the environment for hundreds of years.

"We often think of indigenous people as left behind, but they are actually a source of knowledge. Our ancestors have been able to protect nature for centuries and pass it on to future generations," said KDM.

He assessed that the environmental damage that has occurred in various regions of Indonesia for decades shows that there is an error in the perspective of development which is more oriented towards exploitation than harmony with nature.

Therefore, KDM warned Papua not to repeat the same mistakes. He stated that Papua still possesses relatively well-preserved natural and cultural riches compared to many other regions in Indonesia.

"I see that there's still something original in this country called Papua. It's almost impossible to find it anywhere else. Here, we have crystal clear water, clear air, and incredibly beautiful nature," he said.

KDM emphasized that the loss of Papua's natural environment would have a direct impact on the lives of indigenous communities who have long had a close relationship with their surrounding environment.

"If Papua loses its natural environment, its people will be weakened. Their ancestral belief systems will be shattered by ecological destruction," he said.

According to KDM, development in Papua must be based on cultural values, local wisdom, and respect for nature. He urged that spatial planning and development policies be formulated with consideration for the cultural aspects of the Papuan people so they are not isolated in their homeland.

KDM also emphasized that investment in Papua should not diminish local identity. He even proposed that all public buildings, including offices, hotels, schools, and stadiums in Papua adopt distinctive Papuan architecture.

"Papua was built for Papuans. We must not allow Papuans to feel like they no longer live in their own village," he said.

On that occasion, KDM also announced its commitment to provide scholarships for 40 Papuan students to study in West Java, with tuition fees and living expenses covered until graduation.

Closing his remarks, KDM again reminded the importance of preserving Papua as a priceless national heritage.

"Protect the honor of the Papuan people. Don't let just anyone insult or damage the land of Papua. Paradise is in the land of Papua. The beauty of the Indonesian universe is in the land of Papua. Protect it, because one day we will lose it when it's no longer here," he said.

On that occasion, KDM also offered scholarships to 40 young people to study in Bandung. "Please come and study in Bandung. We'll cover your living expenses until you graduate," he concluded.

Also present at the conference were Deputy Minister of Human Rights (Wamen HAM) Mugiyanto and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri) Ribka Haluk as well as the Papua Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkompimda).