Merauke – Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan said the government's National Strategic Project (PSN) to develop a food, energy and water production hub in Merauke, South Papua, is making rapid progress.
But he did not answer reporters' questions about how the government would ensure the project protects Indigenous Papuans' rights to their customary land and forests.
The question was raised after Zulkifli's press briefing on Tuesday. He left the venue without responding.
During his visit, Zulkifli inspected the PSN site in Wanam District before chairing a closed-door coordination meeting with government officials and regional leaders from across South Papua to review the project's implementation.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Zulkifli said the government was continuing to accelerate construction of supporting infrastructure.
"Thank God, the progress has been very rapid. The port has been completed, 58 kilometres of road have been finished, the next section is under construction, and the airport is also progressing," he said.
The government aims to develop between 10,000 and 11,000 hectares of new rice fields this year, with about 1,200 hectares already planted, he said.
Zulkifli added that President Prabowo Subianto is expected to visit Merauke in October or November for the project's first harvest.
He said the project's progress was supported by local governments, the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police (Polri), Indigenous leaders and local communities.
"We need the support of regional leaders, the TNI, the Police, Indigenous leaders and the community. We need to explain the purpose of developing South Papua as a food, energy and water production hub," he said.
According to Zulkifli, the project is intended to make Papua self-sufficient in food production, reducing its reliance on supplies from other regions. If successful, Merauke could also supply food to Maluku and North Maluku.
The government also plans to build a B50 biofuel production facility in South Papua as part of its energy self-sufficiency programme.
"If this programme succeeds, Papua will be self-sufficient in food and energy, and it will bring prosperity to the Papuan people," he said.