By: Edward Krey )*
Many irresponsible parties want the division of Papua and Indonesia. Even though the validity of Papua is a part of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia, it can be checked through the results of the 1969 Act that has been valid and final, cannot be contested.
Lately there is a lot of racism in Papua. The issue of racism that led to riots that impacted anarchist actions triggered several groups demanding independence for the land of Papua.
Hard-line fronts who are members of a separatist group such as OPM, take advantage of this issue. Moreover, this OPM is considered to have harbored a long-standing desire to be separated from Indonesia.
However, thanks to the current condition of Papua gradually returned to normal. Racists have been arrested and will be tried according to applicable law. The good news is that the government issued 6 edicts containing prohibitions on anarchist, separatist and similar acts until the punishment will be given. This is useful to prevent and suppress events that may occur again.
The Chairperson of the Republic of Indonesia DPR Commission I, Mahfudz Siddiq, also stated firmly, if Indonesia’s position would not change, regarding Papua as part of the Republic of Indonesia. Because it is based on the Act which has been approved by the United Nations.
The results of the Act were considered valid according to the ‘New York Agreement’ of 1962. The Act had also been ratified by the UN General Assembly through Resolution 2505, precisely on 19 November 1969. So that the return of Papua to the Republic of Indonesia was fully supported by the international community and the United Nations.
Mahfuds stated this as a reply to the comments of the actions of Papuan separatist fighters in Britain who doubted the validity of the results of the Act. The separatist sympathizers assume if the results of the Act of Justice are considered illegal and need to be repeated.
But the government explicitly stated, the status of Papua and West Papua as part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia was final, could not be changed after the Act. He also explained that law enforcement in Papua is the same as other regions in accordance with existing rules and corridors.
The territorial integrity of the Republic of Indonesia has been recognized and understood by all friendly countries. The support was not only verbal but also poured every time he signed a partnership with Indonesia. Namely the recognition of the region as a unitary NKRI in every strategic agreement made.
On the other hand, the Government wants Papua’s welfare to continue to improve. So that dialogue is always open regarding the status of Papua in the Republic of Indonesia. The government has seen the status of Papua and West Papua is legitimate, the final cannot be contested as part of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia.
Judging from the historical point of view and Juridical, there is no longer a gap to bring up this matter. Because Pepera has been de facto and de jure recognition. So there can be no indication of fraud and intimidation as the separatist group alleged
Although many people considered that NKRI deliberately included West Irian into Indonesian territory, it was successfully broken. Because it has been proven that Papua has always been under the authority of the Republic of Indonesia.
Even this Earth of Paradise had existed in Indonesian territory long before independence was proclaimed. Evidently Papua was included in the map of Indonesia which was safely made by the Dutch in 1931.
Related to development, many parties agree if the rapid growth has been experienced by the Earth of Paradise. It was not only the economic sector that was rising rapidly, education was also starting to squirm.
Moreover, the government will still plan to further increase development in the Papua region. This certainly proves that the Government is paying serious attention to Indonesia’s easternmost region, right?
When a sense of independence that is formed from a sense of security, comfort and being able to blend in well with the community, and the improvement of the welfare system has touched the deepest part, then what other independence is sought?
So, what else should be fussed about? It is clear that the results of this Pepera ruling are valid and final. There is no doubt in it, because it has been approved by the international community and the United Nations. Moreover, many Papuans expressed their desire to remain part of the Republic of Indonesia. Including thousands of ex-OPM who rejoined the beloved archipelago. They stated that the independence they had dreamed of had existed in Indonesia.
)* The writer is a Papuan student, living in Yogyakarta