Markus Makur, The Jakarta Post, Timika
In the past five years, residents in remote Jita district, Mimika regency in Papua have lived largely without basic public services.
Its jungle location has meant the district receives little attention from the outside, even being excluded from the itineraries of visiting state officials.
Accessible only by plane or 24-hour boat trip, Jita district comprises five villages: Wapu, Noema, Wenin, Pece and Sumapro. Many of its 1,546 people have migrated to urban areas, such as Timika city, while others remain to eke out their living from the forests.
Only recently, after repeated demands from Jita residents, has the Mimika administration opened its eyes to the area's development.
Residents recently welcomed a visit by acting Mimika regent Allo Rafra, Mimika legislative speaker Yosep Yopi Kilangin and Mimika military commander Lt. Col. Trie Soeseno.
Rafra was moved after seeing firsthand the poor condition of people in Jita, acknowledging his office has only focused development programs in Timika city and has failed to do so in rural districts.
""I feel very sad after seeing the condition of people in the villages of Mimika regency. I will visit other villages to inspect public services provided to people,"" he said.
Indonesian Military (TNI) Headquarters will spearhead development programs in the area by implementing social service programs focused in Jita.
The Army, alongside the Air Force and Navy, will immediately set up clean water facilities to alleviate diarrhea infections due to unclean drinking water.
TNI will also build permanent homes and restore damaged houses where the residents live in poor housing.
Sorong military commander Col. Suyatno, Trikora Military Command territorial assistant Col. Triono Sujatmadi, Mimika military commander Lt. Col. Trie Soesoeno and Mimika air base commander Lt. Col. Bambang Triono recently led a survey to build a new clean water facility.
Suyatno said TNI would build clean water facilities and carry out development programs in Jita, and that it has thus far been consistently assisting the Mimika regency administration in developing rural and disadvantaged areas.
""I visited Jita to see the condition of the people firsthand. It was worse than we had expected. TNI must foster friendship with the people in Jita so they can accept our presence,"" Suyatno said.
He added that Jita has never been touched by educational development, and that schools have never carried out any formal education activities.
Two elementary school students, Melianus Wandikbo and Kesilinus Limong, told The Jakarta Post that students from the Jita state elementary school had never received lessons because the teachers assigned there had long since gone to teach in Timika.
""Teachers move to Timika all the time. They're only present during final and national examinations,"" the students said.
""Most of the students pass the exams and go on to the next class anyway, because teachers come here and fill in the answers themselves.""
Village children have turned the school into a place to play, where chairs, desks and schooling facilities have gone missing.
Jita district chief Armin Waker verified the students' report, saying he had filed multiple reports with the head of the Mimika Education Office and the Mimika regent, but had never received a serious response.
He also raised the question of missing funds from the special autonomy, state and provincial allocation fund for school operational costs.
""Mimika's education funds amounted to billions of rupiah, but where did it go?"" he asked.
""I'm very sad and concerned about our children's future. Most of the parents in Jita are illiterate. They don't pay much attention to their children's schooling, but instead ask their children to find sago and catch crabs to sell them to middlemen from Timika.
