By: Jaber Ahmed *)
The news about the surrender of Goliat Tabuni as reported in several Indonesia mainstream media such as Vivanews.com early this week, was already clarified by the Chief of Cendrawasih Military Command, Maj Gen Fransen Siahaan by saying that the prominent leader of the pro-independence Free Papua Movement (OPM) has not yet given up the fight. Accordding to the general, however, there are 23 followers of Goliat have turned themselves in to authorities and renounced their struggle against Indonesian rules in Papua.
“We admit that there has been a confusion of news regarding Goliat Tabuni, as if he has surrendered, whereas it is his 23 followers who came down from the mointainious areas to the district of Tingginimbut” Fransen told media.
The 23 OPM Freedom Fighters with their families came down form the highlands of Puncak Jaya Province in Papua due to the desire of wanting a life like other Papuans under the rules of Indonesian Government. In return, they asked Indonesian Government through Cendrawasih Military Command to build them “Hanoi”, indigenous Papua traditional house, and a Military Comand Post in Tingginambut District, Punjak Jaya Regency. They now has already gathered with relatives in the community of Tingginimbut where used to be a central of OPM movements in Papua. In response to the requests, General Fransen stated that he has already reported to the Chief of Staff of the Army in Jakarta and has been given a month to build the the honai, while the second request is still considered.
In the mean time, two other OPM Prominent Commanders, Puron Wenda dan Enden Wanimbo said that they would not give up fighting for a free Papua and emphasized that they are not asking for money, position, or any offers from Indonesian Government, but they just want Papua to be independent. “Elites in Papua always tell Jakarta that the only thing we need is money, they lie, we just need independence” said Puron.
*) The Author Is Jakarta’s Regional Contributors
