JAYAPURA – Papua Governor Matius D. Fakhiri stated that the Papua Provincial Government has prepared the necessary materials for drafting the 2026 Papua Regional Budget of Revenue and Expenditure.

According to the Governor, there are serious challenges related to the burden of employee expenditures, which remain the main pressure on the region’s fiscal capacity. The Papua Provincial Government is currently able to allocate only around IDR 700 billion for employee spending, while the ideal requirement is around IDR 900 billion.

This means there is a shortfall of more than IDR 200 billion that the province must cover.

“This is not something we can rely on, and I am burdened with more than IDR 200 billion in employee spending. However, this does not mean we will stop,” he said.

Nevertheless, the Governor has his own strategy to address the budget constraints while simultaneously increasing Regional Own-Source Revenue. Fakhiri plans to establish the Papua Development Acceleration Agency Toward a Bright Papua.

This institution will be staffed with human resources capable of managing provincial assets professionally and tapping into various potential of Regional Own-Source Revenues. The development of the marine and coastal sectors will be the main priority.

“I will prioritize focusing on the sea first, then along the coastline later. Almost nine regencies/municipalities are located in coastal areas, except Keerom,” he explained. ***