By: Sabby Kossay) *
The Free Papua Organization (OPM) is indicated to continue to spread separatist ideology to separate from Indonesia. Even though OPM always afflicts the people of Papua and West Papua because it impedes development. The government and the community must be firm in eradicating OPM so that people’s welfare can be realized.
Talking about the easternmost regions of Indonesia always gives its own impression. The hospitality of citizens and the behavior that still upholds cultural customs needs a thumbs up. Moreover, this Earth of Paradise is famous for its abundant natural wealth. This is precisely what is likely to make outsiders want the right to ownership of the Papua region.
It is quite possible that the work of the OPM, which has vigorously voiced independence on behalf of Papua, has another purpose. OPM which is popular for frontal attitudes and is classified as vicious towards the people of Papua makes people reluctant to respond to everything they do. Moreover, the OPM is familiar with violence and deviant behavior towards those who do not approve of Papuan independence. So the people of Papua wonder for whom is this OPM fighting?
Exploring historical facts is always interesting to do. What’s less? Indonesia has won a number of national and international recognition with it. This is also stated in various agreements that strengthen the position of Papua in the archipelago, de facto and de Jure. Plus the statement of the Papuan people themselves who claimed they had been independent with RI. Isn’t this already a major defeat for OPM?
The desire of the Papuan people to live peacefully as part of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia was seen on Sunday 1 December 2019 on the 54th anniversary of the Free Papua Movement (OPM). However, Papuans prefer to worship in the church. They refused to gather to join the invitation of armed criminal groups (KKB) which caused riots like in previous years. So that the atmosphere of Papua also looks safe and peaceful.
In response to this situation, conflict and terrorism analyst Alto Luger stated that the euphoria of December 1 this year was very different from previous years. The reason is that the people there have considered the OPM and other West Papuan pro-independence groups responsible for the riots and bloodshed in Wamena some time ago. Previously, this OPM was considered as an organization to fight for the interests of Papuans, but instead caused losses to Papuans themselves.
In addition, the neglected OPM anniversary is the result of a number of approaches adopted by the government for Papua. Jokowi’s administration is considered to prioritize intelligence operations. Jokowi also abandoned the military operating system which was leaning towards repressive and potentially causing ‘collateral damage’ from civilians in the Papua region, which indirectly caused losses to the Indonesian government.
Alto also appreciated the approach taken by the current Jokowi government towards Papua. According to him, the government’s effort to do a more humanistic approach was, by itself, able to increase the love of the Papuan homeland for Indonesia itself.
These two conditions ultimately contributed to the reduction in sympathy of people in Papua towards OPM, which helped to cause the December 1 celebration to become irrelevant.
Alto stated that if Papuans’ love for Indonesia was actually quite high. In fact this is reflected in the Papua Special Autonomy Law. Where is the definition of a native Papuan, one of them is a migrant who has been appointed as a Papuan by figures or tribal leaders in the Papua region.
Alto further said that the strategy carried out by the government to fight separatist groups in Papua was appropriate. In fact, he said, the government will carry out threat classification. Threats to armed criminal groups that commit terror and violence in Papua will also be dealt with in a strict and proportional manner.
In addition, what is done by the government in Papua will also influence efforts to strengthen diplomacy at the international level. Countries which previously provided space for Papuan separatists to continue to exist, will certainly slowly see that what these separatist groups are voicing becomes irrelevant.
True independence is rooted in the sense of security, comfort and peace that all citizens, including Papua, are able to obtain. For them there is nothing more desirable than to live a quiet life without interference from any party, including the separatist group, the OPM. If the Papuan people have just declared their independence by staying with the Republic of Indonesia, what can OPM be?
) * The author is a Papuan student living in Jakarta
