By : Moses Waker )*
The Free Papua Organization (OPM) led by Egianus Kogoya continues to attract public attention, even internationally because of their barbaric actions of taking pilots from the Susi Air airline hostage, even since February 2023.
Not only did they take hostages, but OPM also tried to use the New Zealand pilot as a tool to continue to pressure the Indonesian government and also to gain personal gain. This act of taking hostages not only threatens the life of an individual, but also tarnishes the image of the Papuan struggle which should be based on peace and justice.
The separatist group had asked for a ransom of IDR 5 billion as a condition for releasing Mehrtens. This shows how the OPM, which claims to be fighting for Papuan independence, is actually a group that prioritizes material gain over the interests of the Papuan people themselves.
Head of Public Relations of the Papua Police, Kombes Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo, explained that the ransom request had been considered in the negotiation process from the start. The Papua Provincial Government is also considering it, with the main aim of carrying out risk-free release and preventing the possibility of casualties so that violence is not used.
The main hope of all parties is that the pilot can return soon in good health. However, the group never opened a space for communication, which shows a lack of good intentions in this process.
OPM’s actions are not a step to fight for independence, but rather a maneuver to get money by using someone’s life. What they did was contrary to the sincere and legitimate spirit of struggle.
Meanwhile, OPM also demands various other things, such as weapons, foodstuffs and medicines. All these demands further strengthen the opinion that they are no longer fighting for the rights of the Papuan people, but are looking for ways to maintain their power and existence at the expense of many parties.
In the midst of negotiations full of uncertainty, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed his appreciation for Mehrtens’ release after being held hostage for 19 months.
The New Zealand and Indonesian governments collaborated in the liberation operation. Luxon highlighted how various parties had contributed to this effort, especially the security forces from the joint forces of TNI, Polri and BIN and expressed his gratitude to them.
For Luxon, the success of the liberation was the result of good collaboration between the two countries, which shows that peaceful action and diplomacy can always be a way out in the midst of a crisis.
However, what cannot be forgotten is how OPM turned Mehrtens into a money-making machine. For more than a year, Mehrtens’ fate has depended not only on negotiations between the Indonesian and New Zealand governments, but also on the terrorist group’s continued demands for more.
They exploit their position for personal gain, without caring about the safety or welfare of the Papuan people they claim to be fighting for. This clearly proves that OPM has lost direction in its struggle, turning into a group that is more violence and material oriented.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Hadi Tjahjanto also emphasized that the Indonesian government was very careful in handling the hostage-taking case.
Pilot safety is a top priority, so the government refuses to use repressive measures that could endanger Mehrtens’ life. A peaceful approach was chosen involving various parties, including traditional leaders and the church.
The success of the liberation is proof that collaborative efforts between parties who care about humanity always produce good results. By not choosing the path of violence, the government shows that Indonesia continues to prioritize the security of its citizens, including foreign nationals who work in its territory.
Even though Mehrtens was finally released, it cannot be denied that OPM’s actions have left deep wounds in the area nicknamed the Golden City. Papua, which should be known as a small paradise with rich natural and cultural potential, is often caught in conflicts that are detrimental to all parties. Separatist groups like the OPM only make the situation worse by using violence and hostage-taking tactics to get what they want.
In the future, the Indonesian government and the international community must continue to condemn OPM’s actions which are no longer purely fighting for the interests of the Papuan people. Involving community leaders, religious leaders and international parties in every conflict resolution process is the main key to ensuring that security and prosperity in the region are maintained. Terrorist groups like the OPM must be made aware that true struggle cannot be built on a foundation of violence, extortion and threats to other people’s lives.
With the success of this operation, it is hoped that the region nicknamed Little Heaven at the tip of Indonesia can return to peace. Mehrtens’ hostage-taking is a reminder of how important a peaceful solution is in resolving the conflict in Papua.
Indonesia, through its policies and approach, has shown that peace is not only an ideal, but also a reality that can be achieved with joint efforts and patience. Terrorist acts must not be allowed to control the fate of this region, which should be better known as a symbol of beauty and diversity than conflict and violence.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Makassar