The President of the Republic of Indonesia, H. Prabowo Subianto, is being urged to immediately inaugurate the elected Governor and Deputy Governor of Papua Pegunungan, Dr (HC) John Tabo, SE, MBA, and Dr Ones Pahabol, SE, MM, who won the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections. The request was made by the Chair of the Papua Pegunungan Regional Leadership Council (DPW) of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Asis Lani, ST, so that the definitive leadership can immediately carry out their duties, including aligning budget policies in accordance with Presidential Instruction Number 1 of 2025 on Spending Efficiency in the Implementation of the State and Regional Budgets for Fiscal Year 2025. According to Asis, the inauguration is crucial to ensure the government runs optimally in line with the expectations of President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
Papua Pegunungan is the only province in Papua that does not border the sea and has a challenging mountainous topography. Therefore, it requires legitimate leaders who understand the local context. The inauguration of John Tabo and Ones Pahabol is believed to accelerate development, strengthen public services, and maintain social and political stability. This aspiration is also echoed by various elements of society, including traditional leaders, youth, and women.
John Tabo and Ones Pahabol were officially declared as the elected governor and deputy governor by the Papua Pegunungan General Election Commission (KPU) on February 26, 2025, after winning the regional election on November 27, 2024. A legal challenge to the election results filed by their rivals, Befa Yigibalom and Natan Pahabol, was rejected by the Constitutional Court, further strengthening the legitimacy of their victory.
In his first speech as the elected governor, John Tabo expressed his commitment to building Papua Pegunungan on a strong foundation and preparing future leaders. He also appreciated the democratic attitude shown by his rivals, which he considered a vital asset for unity and progress in this new province. The people of Papua Pegunungan now await swift action from the elected leaders to bring about real change in line with the expectations of the central government.
