Jakarta. Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka on Thursday reiterated the government’s commitment to accelerating development in Papua, one of Indonesia’s poorest regions, citing plans to expand healthcare, improve transport infrastructure, and widen access to education.

Speaking during a visit to B-Universe Media Holdings’ office in PIK 2, Tangerang, Banten, Gibran said high prices and persistent inflation in Papua stem largely from weak supply chains, making infrastructure development a top priority.

“Papua’s main problem is its supply chain. Prices are abnormally high there. The solution is to speed up the Trans Papua project,” Gibran said.

The Trans Papua road network is a national strategic project designed to connect all provinces in Papua, stretching about 4,330 kilometers from Sorong in Southwest Papua to Merauke in South Papua. Construction began in 2014, but only around 3,446 kilometers have been completed so far. The government aims to finish the remaining sections under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.

Gibran said he has submitted a proposed budget for the project and sought President Prabowo’s approval, though he did not disclose the amount. He also said he had asked the president to convene governors, regents and mayors across Papua to gather input directly from regional leaders.

In the health sector, Gibran said the government is targeting the construction of 24 hospitals across Papua by 2029, alongside efforts to boost the number of medical personnel in the region.

“The government will send more doctors and teachers there because Papua is short on medical staff,” he said.

On education, Gibran highlighted the People’s School program, a flagship initiative launched by President Prabowo in 2025 that provides free, boarding education for children from extremely poor families. He said the program has been warmly received in Papua and other remote areas.

“The People’s School is the most eagerly awaited program, not only in Papua but also in remote regions,” Gibran said.

He added that the program’s appeal is strengthened by the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) initiative, another cornerstone policy of President Prabowo’s administration that aims to provide meals to up to 80 million students and pregnant women nationwide.

“At the People’s School, students eat twice a day, live there and study there,” Gibran said. “That’s why it has generated so much enthusiasm.”