JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former Komnas HAM commissioner Natalius Pigai revealed the reason why he always criticized the policies of President Joko Widodo's government.
According to Pigai, the treatment of the government during the time of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono more humanize the people of Papua than the era of President Jokowi.
This, he said, is seen from the number of Papuans in the nearest circle of Presden SBY to be addressed in dealing with all problems in Papua.
"So if I compare with SBY, SBY is humanizing the Papuan people, raising the Papuans that Papuans are also great in this republic.Compared now, Jokowi, who he made partner in the discussion and dialogue about the problem in Papua? Only himself," Pigai said when contacted on Friday (4/27/2018).
"So if he makes his interlocutor a mediocre, then yes is tantamount to degrading the Papuan dignity, so do not underestimate the Papuans," Pigai said.
(Also read: Natalius Pigai Consider the Criticism of President Level Officer for Response)
He also mentioned a number of names of Papuans who had served in the era of President SBY. Among others, former Minister of Transportation Freddy Numberi, Special Staff President of Regional Development and Regional Autonomy, Velix Vernando Wanggai.
In addition, there is also former Environment Minister Balthasar Kambuaya and former Indonesian Ambassador to Mexico Barnabas Suebu.
"Yudhoyono has humanized the Papuans, that's a fact compared to his time Jokowi, so when I criticize that, it's a fact-based criticism on the ground," Pigai said.
Meanwhile, Pigai assess currently President Jokowi did not choose the people who are competent to assist in resolving the issue of Papua.
Therefore, Pigai continued, government policy is often not a solution to the problems faced by Papuans.
"I love the message to Jokowi that do not listen to people who are not qualified, incompetent to solve various problems in Papua," he said.
(Read also: Presidential Staffs Ask for Natalius Pigai to Stop President Jokowi's Criticism)
In addition, Pigai also denied that the criticism he often conveyed as a form of slander against the government.
According to Pigai, his criticism of the government is always based on data and facts on the ground. He recounted his track record as a researcher and commissioner of Komnas HAM for five years.
"I am certified as a Depnakertrans researcher, a certificate from LIPI, both of which have statistical certificates and I was once head of statistics at the depnaker, so I know how the data is," Pigai said.
"I have also been a Komnas HAM investigator who served for five years, all of my critics are professional, measurable, in order to fill the empty spaces that have never been filled by the state," he said.