JAYAPURA – The Regional Inspectorate of Papua Province is taking action to reclaim hundreds of government vehicles still held by unauthorized parties, including officials who have been reassigned to new autonomous regions (DOB).

Papua Provincial Inspector Danny Korwa said the current focus is on Highland Papua Province. Six vehicles belonging to the Papua Provincial Government, used by officials in Highland Papua, are targeted for return this week.

“As of today, three vehicles have been returned, and today we added one more. We aim to complete the process by the end of the week,” he said in Jayapura, Monday (August 11, 2025).

According to Danny, the enforcement is being carried out in cooperation with the Integrated Coordination, Supervision, and Prevention Task Force of the Corruption Eradication Commission through the Monitoring Center for Prevention (MCP) evaluation. Similar measures will also be taken in Central Papua.

Echelon II and III officials who have been transferred to the new regions are required to return their previous official vehicles.

Data from the Inspectorate shows that around 400 government vehicles are still held without authorization in the four DOBs and in districts/municipalities across Papua.

Some vehicles are severely damaged or unfit for use, while the whereabouts of others remain unknown.

Danny stressed that failing to return the vehicles could be classified as misappropriation of state or regional assets, which carries criminal consequences.

“The real challenge lies in each official’s awareness. When transferred, assets must be returned,” he concluded. ***