By: Timothy Gobay) *
The Free Papua Movement always spreads provocation so that they get a lot of support, to defect from Indonesia. In December, the Christmas moment was crucial, because the OPM spread false promises to civilians. The goal is for them to believe in the greatness of the OPM, and then want to join the Federal Republic of West Papua.
December is the month that Christians in Papua look forward to, because they will celebrate Christmas on the 25th. On this holiday, they go to church and gather with family and friends, and enjoy a meal together. Christmas is a crucial moment because it is not certain that they can meet on another day, for reasons of being busy.
But unfortunately, ahead of Christmas, people in Papua are always disturbed by the provocations of OPM. After failing to launch the modus on December 1 (on the anniversary of the separatist organization), they again spread various provocations. The goal is that the OPM has many supporters, who are willing to be invited to cross into West Papua.
OPM’s provocation that was viral on social media was about the issue of SARA. One member of this separatist organization wrote in an FB group that civilians have to be careful with the authorities. Because the government will spend the people on Earth of Cendrawasih, who have a melanesian race.
This statement is heinous slander and hoax. Because there is no such thing as clearing one tribe or race in Indonesia. This is a human rights violation, and cannot be done by the central government. Provocation regarding the issue of SARA is always appalling, therefore OPM always brings it up. However, this certainly spoils the sweetness of the Christmas moment in Papua.
In addition, the OPM also accuses the Indonesian government of insisting on dividing Papua’s territory, because there is a money mode behind it. The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD immediately responded and stated that it was the Papuan people who wanted expansion. They stated this directly when they met President Joko Widodo in person.
Pemekaran is actually a good thing, because it can even out prosperity in the Papua region. In the past, there were only Papua provinces, but now there are Papua and West Papua. The plan is to expand again into Southwest Papua. So that the entire community there will feel a better life. So the OPM accusation is wrong if pemekaran is only harmful.
OPM has also carried out KKB (armed criminal group) troops in the field, so that provocation can run smoothly. The goal was to scare civilians and finally they wanted to join the Federal Republic of West Papua. Unfortunately the KKB did not only show off firearms, but also carried out inconsequential shootings, even the victims lost their lives.
Intan Jaya Regent Natalis Tabuni stated that the OPM and KKB and their gangs had to leave their territory, ahead of Christmas 2020. They always messed up and Intan Jaya was one of the most vulnerable areas. Because the KKB did not only shoot once there. The victims are not only the security forces, but also Papuan civilians who are none other than their own relatives.
This has made the community even more antipathy to OPM. Because they mess up the joy of Christmas and often sacrifice their siblings as life shields. When carrying out attacks on the authorities. The community is fed up with various provocations and violence perpetrated by the OPM and KKB, because they carried out sporadic attacks and claimed lives.
People who are still laymen are asked not to be swallowed up by OPM provocation. They always spread propaganda and fear, in order to achieve their goal of liberating Papua. On the eve of Christmas, provocations were getting crazy. Therefore, the KKB and OPM troops must be expelled far away, so as not to destroy the sanctity of the Christian holiday on Earth of Cendrawasih.
) * The author is a student living in Semarang