By: Aldian Firmansyah *)
Indonesia is a multicultural, it can be seen in terms of race, religion, language, ethnicity and customs. The diversity also contains the potential for conflict if not managed properly can threaten the integrity, unity and integrity of the nation, such as the separatist movements which want to secede from the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
This could happen cause of the result from dissatisfaction and differences of interests led to the disintegration of the nation. The threat of national disintegration in some areas has grown so strong, even getting strong support some communities, a handful of local political elites and political elites nationwide by using some global issue which includes issues of democratization, human rights, environment and weak law enforcement and security systems border region.
One of the issues that have not been exhaustively discussed is the emergence of separatist Papua (OPM). The Efforts to tackle separatism in Papua comprehensively still being conducted through a welfare approach. In the face of the threat of separatist movements in Papua, the Indonesian government convinced that the settlement of these problems can only be done thoroughly and peacefully.
Success in solving the problem of separatism in Aceh was an important lesson to solve the problem of separatism in Papua. The fact shows that the root causes of conflict in some areas because of their marginalization and discriminatory measures in the economic development of the indigenous inhabitants, the lack of development especially in the areas of education, health, and economic empowerment of the people.
In addition, the inability to understand democracy and human rights, where the citizens do not have enough knowledge about the meaning of democracy and human rights often happens abuse of meanings.
Separatism should be used as a common enemy of the Indonesian nation, must be fought together. Therefore, we have to prevent the NGO that supporting separatism, only in the interests of certain groups. Moreover, in addition to continuing the maintenance of security in Papua and endemic separatism in Indonesia, it is necessary to counteract the negative propaganda carried out by separatist movements abroad and increase diplomatic efforts to convince the international community the importance of protecting the sovereignty of Indonesia.
NKRI is the main framework underlying the establishment of the nation of the Republic of Indonesia. The unitary state that formed of cultural diversity and language spread from Sabang to Merauke, known as “Unity in Diversity”. Then every element of Indonesian community should come together and unite in order to defend and build Indonesia up.
*) CIDISS Contributor
