By: Sabby Kossay )*
The Free Papua Organization (OPM) is a separatist group that does not hesitate to shoot civilians on Bumi Cenderawasih. They even dared to attack TNI members. The community also condemned the OPM atrocities because it was increasingly unsettling. The security forces were asked to increase security in Papua, especially ahead of the OPM’s 1st December anniversary.
Peace in Papua was disturbed when an OPM member dared to injure a TNI member, in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya, last 6 November. They opened fire on the authorities then fled. The community was tired because the OPM did the same thing many times and terrorized the residents.
In that incident, Pratu Firdaus Kurniawan died while on duty, while 2 of his colleagues were injured. This was revealed by the Commander of Korem 173 / PVB, Brigadier General Iwan Setiawan. Apart from the 2 wounded TNI members, there were also civilians who were shot victims.
Sebby Sambom stated that in the shooting, those responsible were OPM and TPNPB. The man who is the spokesman for the TPNPB (West Papua national liberation army) argued that the shooting was carried out because TNI members committed violence against Papuan civilians, so they protected them.
But Sebby’s defense was only a baseless alibi. Because TNPB is not intended to protect, but to attack the TNI who is looking for the whereabouts of separatists. They do not accept being arrested and considered to be rebels, because according to the TPNB and OPM, the legal country is West Papua, not Indonesia.
TNPB does have a tradition of going down the mountain ahead of the OPM anniversary on 1 December. They not only appeared to promote the Papuan independence movement, but also spread terror. Don’t care about immigrants or fellow indigenous Papuans. All were terrified by the firearms they had.
Security in all regions of Papua was tightened ahead of December 1. Sweeping is held everywhere and do not let anyone be caught flying the Morning Star flag or carrying it in a bag. Because the West Papua flag is prohibited and is a symbol of the separatists.
The OPM has always wanted to separate from Indonesia. According to them, the Indonesian government has always negated Papua, and only developed the Java region. In fact, their accusations are wrong, because in the era of President Jokowi, Papua was given great attention. With privileges on special autonomy.
Jokowi is also listed as the President who most frequently visits Bumi Cendrawasih. In fact, he immediately tried the Trans Papua Road with a trail bike when he inaugurated it. Since his first term as president, he has wanted to focus on advancing Papua and leveling development in eastern Indonesia.
OPM don’t turn a blind eye to this fact. When there is development in Papua thanks to the disbursement of special autonomy funds, they should not accuse it of being an image. Because there is already a lot of clear evidence such as Sentani International Airport which was built very beautifully.
Therefore, they should understand and surrender themselves to the authorities. If you stop acts of terror and choose to join the Republic of Indonesia, you will be welcomed. Because it’s useless for the guerrillas to go out of the forest but get nothing, only hunger and have an unclear future.
Papuans are also required to be aware of the persuasion of the OPM. Do not let anyone want to join the excuse if being a member of the separatists will look macho. Understand history that OPM is a rebel who violates the law and always causes trouble.
Nor should anyone fly the Morning Star flag on 1 December. Because they just don’t recognize the Indonesian government and can be accused of being OPM sympathizers. Papua is part of Indonesia and there is no such thing as a federal state for West Papua.
In Papua, alertness was increased after the shooting incident of a TNI member. The OPM who acknowledged this action only said that it was responsible but did not want to apologize manly. Papuans were also asked not to side with the OPM because they were only a handful of separatists.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Yogyakarta