Joint Efforts to Protect National Harmony
By: Andi Alfiandi) *
Indonesia is the word so in its meaning, so many historic events of this nation. A nation that with great effort, sweat, blood, lives, property and objects is given for the presence of an independent nation. The founders of the nation made an idea of the purpose of the nation’s founding, so that Indonesian people would not be oppressed by the colonialists and decide for themselves the nation’s journey.
National life lately is not harmonious in Wamena, Papua. The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) said the riots that occurred in Wamena, Papua, were caused by a misunderstanding related to the issue of a teacher who was said to harass his students with racial tone. Komnas HAM Chairman Ahmad Taufan Damanik said the misunderstanding occurred when a teacher at PGRI High School was teaching and asked a student to speak louder.
This condition was exploited by the separatists by issuing a variety of provocative content that could trigger riots that continue to occur, so that these conditions are of international interest and their hope is to hold a referendum.
At present, the conditions in Wamena are gradually conducive, this is due to the services of the TNI-Polri and Papuan community leaders. What is done by Papuan community leaders is extraordinary, one of them is Rev. Yason Yikwa.
Yason is a priest of the Panorama Baptist Church in Phike, Dokoku Village, Kubiki District, Jayawijaya, Papua. When riots occur, he becomes a shield as well as a protector of migrant residents from mass tantrums. At least 500 residents have been successfully protected.
“I am a part of the servant of God, I see non-Papuan friends who are so frightened that I, as a servant of God, put myself in the position to help and save because it is part of caring for others,” he said.
In addition to evacuating residents into the church, Jason also played a role in calming rioters. At that time the rioters asked that immigrants who took refuge in the church out, of course the request was rejected. “If you want to kill them, you better kill me,” Yason said. What he did, said Jason, was none other than the teachings of God that teaches love of peace.
As children of the nation, we are obliged to play a role in maintaining a conducive situation in Papua, one thing we can do is not easily consumed by provocative news that mostly contains lies, and of course we should not spread it. In addition, we as children of the nation let us continue to voice and provide a tolerant attitude among the people so that harmony, the life of the nation continue to be maintained according to the ideals of the founders of this republic.
) * The writer is an activist in Nusa Pers