By: Sabby Kosay )*
The racist issue against Papuan students is indicated to be used by separatist groups to separate Papua from Indonesia. However, the separation of Papua from Indonesia is considered an absurd issue because it is legally and historically part of the Republic of Indonesia.
The long history of the struggle for West Irian (Papua) is inseparable from the role of the heroes as well as the government apparatus. Even with youth leaders, the community as well as others. How many times echo Papua is an integral part of the Republic of Indonesia, legitimate and recognized, no influence for a group of separatists who want disintegration.
Returning to history two years after the proclamation of Indonesian Independence, precisely on August 17, 1947, the Saka Merah Putih fluttered firmly in the Land of Papua. The line of Papuan youths at that time dared to penetrate the tight guard of the Dutch army in the Papua Region, worthy of appreciation. They do it only to watch the heritage of the flag flying in Papua.
A series of these brave figures are: Albert Kurubuy, Silas Papare, Frans Kaisiepo, Johan Ariks, Marthen Indi as well as many other names. Including intellectual figures from Papua Besstuur School or who are popular with civil service schools. Which was founded by the Dutch government in the Hollandia region, now called Jayapura.
The presence of this institution seems to give a lot of color to the political awareness of Papuans. Darisana also young Papuans are able to follow the development of the political situation throughout the archipelago. Frans Kaisiepo and Silas Papare were inspired by this political development. They fought along with their supporters to free Papua from the Netherlands.
They conducted secretly meeting activities where the point was to oppose the Dutch occupation. In addition, Papua wants to be reunited with the Republic of Indonesia. They slowly formed a representative board under the leadership of Sugoro Admoprasojo. Frans Kaisiepo stressed that he did not like the name that said Papua Bestuur School. He then ordered his brother Markus Kaisiepo to change the nameplate to IRIAN Bestuurschool.
Finally Silas Papare and his group returned to the village to apply their political awareness to their village. He founded the PKII namely the Irian Indonesian Independence Party. And exactly one year, Silas and his group conducted a red and white flag ceremony to commemorate Indonesia’s independence day. As a result, all participants were held in the Netherlands for more than 3 months.
It was noted that PKII received various supports from many groups. In fact, in Irian Support also came from the people of Manokwari, Sorong and Biak areas. Silas Papare itself is principled if Papua is historically inseparable from the territory of Indonesia. He continued to fight for these principles without stopping. In fact, he also stressed that before Indonesia’s independence Papua was part of the Dutch East Indies. But all changed when Indonesia gained independence, namely Papua struggling with Indonesia. Vice versa.
The two youth leaders in Papua, Silas Papare and Frans Kaisiepo are nationalist representatives who are aware of the essence of Indonesian independence for the people of Papua. Both figures and their supporters hope that Papua will be free from colonialism and imperialism with Indonesia.
The implication is to accept the fact that the archipelago is composed of various tribes and religions. Silas and Frans also taught the core of Bhinekka Tunggal Ika, so that the Papuan people would not only be able to drive out the invaders. But it can also help build Papua to advance and prosper.
Unfortunately, the nature of Indonesian nationalism has changed the way of Papuan intellectuals at that time. And Frans Kaisiepo has not been fully imbued with young Papuans today. The link is that there are still groups of young people who are suspected of having a narrow mind in order to want Papua to be independent. They also actively participated in the anti-NKRI community and maintained that Papua was not an Indonesian nation. Because their physical form is different from other Indonesian people.
This is clearly mistaken! As a unit of the Republic of Indonesia, it should eliminate the narrow perspective. Because essentially all Indonesian citizens have the same opportunity to develop the country. Even the government has regulated all the rights and obligations of citizenship regardless of ethnicity, race, religion as well as other factors.
Isn’t it clear that Papua always wants to be an integral part of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia, which is proven according to the story above. They (Papuans) also realize that they will prosper together with Indonesia. So that nothing else should be worried about. Because until whenever Papua is still one body in the frame of the Homeland.
)* The writer is a Papuan student, living in Yogyakarta