Ribka Haluk, the Acting Governor of Central Papua province, made history as the first indigenous woman from Papua’s mountainous region poised to serve as a Cabinet minister.
Ribka was among the key figures who met with President-elect Prabowo Subianto on Monday, October 14, 2024, signalling her potential inclusion in the Cabinet of Prabowo, who will officially be inaugurated as the country’s eighth president.
Ribka expressed her gratitude for the trust placed in her as a representative of Papua in the upcoming administration.
“I appreciate President-elect Prabowo for entrusting us, the people of Papua, to join his team,” she said, on Monday, October 14, 2024.
A highly regarded figure in Papua, Ribka Haluk has enjoyed a distinguished career as a bureaucrat. Born on January 10, 1971, in Piramid, Jayawijaya Regency, she began her career in 2001 in the Social, Population, and Civil Registration Office of Papua provincial administration.
Currently, she serves both as Acting Governor and the definitive Secretary of Central Papua Province.
During the administration of former Governor Lukas Enembe, Ribka held the role of Head of the Social Services Department for eight years. She was also appointed Acting Regent of Mappi in 2017 and Yalimo in 2021.
Ribka earned praise for her leadership during her tenure as Acting Regent of Yalimo, particularly for her ability to resolve a conflict stemming from a local election dispute.
“She was initially underestimated, but she succeeded in resolving the conflict,” Tito Karnavian, Minister of Home Affairs, said on Monday, October 14, 2024.
Her success in handling these challenges contributed to her appointment as Acting Governor of Central Papua in November 2022.
Tito acknowledged the significant challenges Ribka faced in this role, highlighting her capabilities and leadership.
