By: Abner Wanggai )*
Papua is the easternmost province in Indonesia but it is still part of the country. The central government continues to pay attention to the people of Bumi Cendrawasih with the privilege of the special autonomy program. Don’t be provoked if someone thinks that Papua was colonized by Indonesia.
Indonesia consists of 32 provinces, including Papua and West Papua. On Earth of Cendrawasih, it is indeed very far from the capital city, but that does not mean that the people there are neglected. The government is trying to even out development throughout Indonesia, including Papua. Especially there, there is a special autonomy program to accelerate the progress of the community.
This attention from the government shows that Papua is part of Indonesia. Don’t let anyone say that Papua is not part of the Republic of Indonesia, it is even worse that Indonesia is considered a colonizer. Because Papua’s status as a province in Indonesia is legally valid and recognized by the international community.
In 1945, when Indonesia became independent, the areas that were part of the Republic of Indonesia were former Dutch colonies. Papua (formerly Irian Jaya) was colonized by the Dutch, not other countries. So automatically it is part of Indonesia and can be taken over legally. This was disclosed by the Minister of Defense Ryamizard Ryacudu.
The retired TNI general added that Papua only officially joined Indonesia in 1969 after the pepera (determination of people’s opinion). Because at that time there were political games. However, during the war, the result was that all the Papuan people wanted to join Indonesia, without coercion.
If at this time anyone questioned the legitimacy of Papua as part of Indonesia, that would be very funny. Because they were caught not reading history books. But instead they fanned hostilities and supported the separatists who wanted an independent Papua. Even though there are only a handful of people who want Papua to be independent.
According to historical records, the youth of Jong Papua also attended the Youth Pledge in 1928. They wanted to unite and form a solid country. This is proof that since time immemorial, Papuans are part of Indonesia and love their homeland. They do not want to create their own country but join the NKRI.
On the other hand, when there are those who think that the Indonesian government is a colonizer and do not recognize the Morning Star flag, then they are wrong. Logically, an invader would not provide much of the infrastructure such as roads, bridges and international airports. If Indonesia colonized, there would be no special autonomy program.
Besides that, how can Papua become independent when Indonesia has been independent since 1945? Even if you want to be free, freedom from what? Separatists always argue that pepera is full of cheating, but in reality it is just slander. Because indigenous Papuans are happy to join Indonesia.
If there is someone who describes it as an independent Papuan movement, then he is considered a separatist. Because a country will not be valid within the country. If OPM members are arrested, then they cannot play the victim and ask for help from other countries, because they have been proven to have violated the law by rebelling against the Indonesian government.
The international community also knows that Papua is part of Indonesia. Therefore, they will not interfere if someone asks for help and wants to be free from the Republic of Indonesia. Because Papua’s position as a province in Indonesia already has a legal umbrella.
The legality of Papua as the territory of Indonesia is already valid and inviolable. Don’t mention anything else about Papuan independence. Because we have been united since Indonesia became independent. Papuans are Indonesian citizens, and they are proud to be part of the Republic of Indonesia.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Yogyakarta