By: Petir Dominggus )*
The Papuan community firmly rejects the existence of the Free Papua Organization (OPM), which has long been viewed as a threat to the unity and integrity of Indonesia. This rejection comes not only from traditional leaders but also from various segments of society who see the OPM as a movement that contradicts the spirit of national unity.
As has happened in the Homeyo District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua, the OPM has repeatedly caused disturbances and disrupted the local community. The OPM group led by Keni Tipagau not only instilled fear but also took the life of a teenager named Alexsander Parapak at the end of April 2024. OPM also damaged public facilities by burning down school buildings and directing attacks at the local police station.
The threat from OPM doesn’t stop there. In August, OPM sent a threat letter to security forces in Homeyo, claiming they would attack planes landing at Pogapa Airport. However, security forces under the command of Commander of Koops Habema, Brigadier General TNI Lucky Avianto, responded firmly to this threat by increasing security in the area. All of this is done to ensure security stability and to protect the local economy.
Although the swift response from security forces has quelled disturbances, the OPM launched another attack at the end of August near Pogapa Airport. However, this time the people of Homeyo showed extraordinary courage. The community rose up and fought against the presence of OPM, even managing to drive the group out of the Homeyo region. The local community, through community leaders and youth, emphasizes their readiness to defend the region against the threat of separatism, in order to maintain peace and the ongoing development.
The spirit of resistance in this community is closely tied to the inclusive approach taken by the TNI soldiers in Homeyo. Through good social communication with the citizens, the soldiers succeeded in fostering a sense of nationalism and courage within the community. Lucky Avianto stated that community involvement in maintaining security will be a positive impetus for the acceleration of development in the Papua region.
The community’s rejection of the OPM also occurred in Intan Jaya Regency. This collective awareness has emerged alongside the increasing threats from the OPM group, which seeks to disrupt the stability of the region. Through cooperation with the Yonif 509 Kostrad Task Force, the community has successfully demonstrated that maintaining security is not only the responsibility of security forces but also of all elements of society. In several incidents, the people of Intan Jaya firmly expelled the OPM group that attempted to enter their territory, a clear testament to their determination to maintain peace in their homeland.
The Commander of the 509 Kostrad Infantry Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Inf Dian D Setyadi, expressed his pride in the community for their active role in maintaining security in the area. The proactive attitude demonstrated by the Intan Jaya community is evidence that they share the same vision with security forces, which is to maintain safety and peace in Papua.
The cooperation that has developed demonstrates a good synergy between security forces and the community in facing threats from separatist groups, thereby creating effective measures to maintain regional stability. This situation illustrates how trust and collaboration can create strength in upholding order and security.
One of the community leaders in Intan Jaya, Yoakim Sani, expressed the importance of maintaining the security of the village, which is not only the responsibility of security personnel but also a shared obligation. The presence of the TNI and Polri task forces in the community certainly makes residents feel safer and ready to continue supporting the security forces’ efforts to protect the village from threats. This reflects the importance of cooperation and mutual support between citizens and security forces in maintaining order in a region.
In addition to the resistance from the Homeyo and Intan Jaya communities, there are also voices of rejection against the OPM from youth groups in Papua. Papuan youth leader Paul Ohee emphasized that the OPM often spreads unfounded propaganda aimed at dividing the unity of the nation. Paul stressed that the OPM’s struggle for Papua’s independence will not bring good to the community, but will only prolong suffering.
Paul invites all the people of Papua to unite in maintaining unity and to reject propaganda that threatens the integrity of Indonesia. Papua, with its unique culture and natural wealth, is an inseparable part of Indonesia. The presence of OPM does not reflect the desires of the majority of the Papuan people, who prefer development and prosperity over prolonged conflict. The community is also aware that the existence of OPM will only worsen Papua’s image in the eyes of both national and international audiences, as well as hinder the government’s efforts to improve welfare in the region.
In various regions of Papua, the community has shown a rejection of the OPM and believes that the future of Papua lies in the advancement of education, economy, and infrastructure currently being promoted by the government, rather than the presence of separatist and terrorist groups like the OPM. In fact, the best way to achieve progress is by maintaining harmony and supporting the development programs that have been designed to improve the quality of life for the people of Papua.
With the widespread rejection from the community, the hope for a peaceful and progressive Papua is growing stronger. The people of Papua are committed to upholding the sovereignty of the nation and rejecting any efforts that could potentially divide the country, including the presence of the Free Papua Organization.
)* Papua Youth / Contributor of the Wise Writing Group