By: Moses Waker) *
Again the KKB terrorized the Papuan people, by shooting at helicopters and setting fire to planes. The atrocities of separatist groups have made the public even more angry. They always create chaos and want to thwart government programs, including special autonomy.
KKB is an armed group affiliated with the OPM. They want Papua to be separated from Indonesia, and establish the Federal Republic of West Papua. To get what they want, they do anything, including violence, crimes, and even shootings.
On January 6, 2021, Papua was again in the headlines, because there was a helicopter shooting belonging to a leading mining company. This incident occurred in the Benangin area, near Tsinga Village, Tembagapura District, Mimika Regency. The helicopter was hit by bullets by KKB members at around 10 WIT. There were no casualties in this incident.
The next day, the KKB acted again by burning the MAF PK-MAX plane in Pagamba Village, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua. Papua Police Public Relations Head Kombes Pol AM Kamal stated that this incident occurred at 9:30 WIT. After the plane landed, the KKB members shot upwards, then the pilot was asked to get out while ducking. Only then did they cruelly burn the iron bird.
The two heinous incidents, although they did not cause any casualties, deeply disturbed the public. Because the KKB has committed atrocities for years. Then, burning occurred after the special autonomy decision was continued by the government. So it can be concluded that the KKB does not approve of the extension of the special autonomy.
Indeed, President Jokowi has sent a Surpres (Presidential Letter) to the DPR regarding the discussion of the revision of Bill number 21 of 2001 on special autonomy. Then the DPR discussed it in the plenary meeting for the closing of the second session of 2020, December 11, 2020. Then the meeting will be continued on January 10, 2021.
If a few days before the follow-up meeting of the DPR regarding the evaluation of special autonomy there were shootings and arson by the KKB, then they had fixed their disapproval of the program. KKB and OPM have hated the government for decades, and even considered Indonesia colonizing Papua. Even though the Papuan people love the Republic of Indonesia and do not agree with the KKB action.
It is very strange if the KKB considers that the special autonomy system is detrimental, because of the fact that this program will prosper the people of Cendrawasih Earth. The proof is that there is a lot of infrastructure being built, such as the Youtefa bridge, Sentani International Airport, and the Trans Papua Road. So that mobility is easier and reduces transportation costs, and reduces the price of goods.
In addition, the special autonomy program also provides scholarships for Papuan men to continue studying until university. So that not only the infrastructure is built, but also human resources. Papuan children will be smarter and given the opportunity to develop their own region. Even the governor and mayor must be native Papuans.
KKB rejects special autonomy because it hates all government programs. They do not think that if their children or nephews receive special autonomy scholarships, they will be smarter and not mired in poverty. When there is a scholarship, no teenager who has dropped out of school can be recruited to become a youth cadre of special autonomy.
In addition, if any more infrastructure is built, they are afraid that they will encroach on their hiding areas. This makes it difficult to move for guerrillas and will be easily caught by patrolling officers. The KKB and OPM will be easily eradicated and there will be no more stories about separatism in Papua.
The KKB’s burning of planes and downing of helicopters proved the theory that they resented the special autonomy program. Because this incident took place before the DPR continued session to discuss the evaluation and extension of the special autonomy. The government is not afraid of their threats, because the special autonomy is very good for the progress of the Papuan people.
) * The author is a Papuan student living in Gorontalo