Political Support in Improving OAP Welfare Programs in Biak Numfor District

Abstract

This study aims to analyze political support in improving the welfare program for Indigenous Papuans (OAP) in Biak Numfor Regency, with an emphasis on the commitment of political leaders, tolerance for innovation risks, and the stability of political relations. This study uses a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews, field observations, and documentation, then analyzed interpretively to understand the form of political support, institutional relations, program implementation dynamics, and community acceptance of the OAP welfare program. The results of the study indicate that political support for the OAP welfare program has been present in an affirmative, adaptive, and relatively stable manner. The commitment of political leaders is evident through the placement of OAP as a priority group, the use of Special Autonomy Funds, and the implementation of rehabilitation and construction programs for habitable houses. Tolerance for innovation risks is evident from the ability of local governments to implement programs amidst fiscal limitations, high public demand, recipient selection mechanisms, program data updates, and efforts to open up third-party support. The stability of political relations is evident through the continuity of programs across years, the role of implementing agencies, community acceptance, and the formation of social legitimacy for the program. However, this political support is still stronger in maintaining the sustainability of the program than expanding its reach and encouraging structural welfare transformation. Political support for the Indigenous Peoples' (OAP) welfare program in Biak Numfor Regency has become an important foundation for the implementation of affirmative action policies at the regional level. However, this support still needs to be strengthened through expanding redistributive capacity, institutionalizing collaboration, learning from risks, transparency of targets, and integration between programs so that the Indigenous Peoples' (OAP) welfare program not only functions as basic social protection but is also able to encourage broader, deeper, and more sustainable transformation of Indigenous Peoples' (OAP) welfare.