Papua and West Papua: an Integral Part of the Republic of Indonesia

Papua and West Papua are two provinces in Indonesia. No party can separate Papua and NKRI, such as OPM or others. People in Papua are also proud to be Indonesian citizens and they trust the government more than the opportunistic campaign by Free West Papua separatist groups.

 

Indonesia has an area that stretches from Sabang to Merauke. As a country consisting of thousands of islands, the government is trying to advance every region in the Republic of Indonesia. So that all people feel equal justice because as Indonesian citizens, they have the right to progress. This includes Papuans who are being noticed by the central government.

 

If viewed from its history, Papua is a region in Indonesia that only joined after the Pepera (Referendum and also known as the Act of Free Choice) in 1969. Even though it entered later, it is still part of Indonesia. Because it has also been recognized by international law. When there was a former Dutch colony in Indonesia, the territory belonged to Indonesia.

 

But unfortunately, there are separatist groups who do not agree with the results of the war, and demand Papua to be independent. Even at the beginning of December, Benny Wenda, a member of the OPM abroad, inaugurated Papuan independence and appointed himself president. He just wants to go viral and the international world taunts him because he is no longer an Indonesian citizen.

 

The number of separatist groups is only a fraction of the Papuan civilians. It is very strange when they do not recognize the results of Pepera, for more than 30 years. Even if they didn't agree, why didn't they immediately protest to the President at that time, HM Soeharto? Maybe they are too scared and become cowards, then guerrilla for years.

 

If they read history books, in 1928 there were 2 youths from Bumi Cendrawasih, who attended the youth oath declaration. They represent Jong Papua and want to join Indonesia and unite for the sake of advancing NKRI. So why ask to separate? The reasons for liberating Papua are also illogical because they are asking for justice.

 

What kind of justice is expected? Because as part of Indonesia, Papua is also built to become a developed region. So that there is no difference that is too far between modernity in western and eastern Indonesia. In fact, since 2001, the Papua region has been given privileges in the form of special autonomy, which is only given there and NAD.

 

Otsus is proof that Papua is an area that is being watched by the central government. Because regional governments are given the authority to regulate and promote their regions, of course with financial support from the central government. Even the requirements to become Governor and Mayor in Papua must be native Papuans.

 

People in Bumi Cendrawasih are also very proud to be Indonesian citizens

 

Papuan elements of love for the Republic of Indonesia held a peaceful demonstration and declared that they loved Indonesia and did not want to be influenced by the machinations of separatist groups. They appealed to all Papuans to unite to protect the homeland and not be afraid of anyone who destroys peace in Indonesia.

 

 

If indigenous Papuans, both those on Earth of Cendrawasih and in other areas have expressed their love for the Republic of Indonesia, why do the separatists continue to survive? It is simply because a small number of opportunist separatist get support from conflict provocateurs in other countries.

 

It is fixed that Papua is part of Indonesia, and the people there are proud to be Indonesian citizens. There is no need to aspire to liberate Papua or to form the Federal Republic of West Papua because there is very little support.

 

As part of Indonesia, Papua has an authority called special autonomy. Apart from being given special privileges, Bumi Cendrawasih was also given the rapid development of infrastructure and human resources. With progress in almost all fields, Papuan civilians are increasingly proud to be Indonesian citizens.

 

Laraswati Prameswara

Papuan Observer