By: Edward Krey) *
The event of racism against Papuan students in East Java has triggered public turmoil to protest the event. The protest was also allegedly used by interest groups to demand the separation of Papua from Indonesia. The effort failed because seen from various aspects, Papua was fully an integral part of the Republic of Indonesia.
Support for Papua as an integral part of the Republic of Indonesia, is something that is very important, it is this support that can be an encouragement for all parties to keep the land of Papua in the Archipelago.
Support for Papua to remain a part of Indonesia also did not come from within the country, Dutch Ambassador Tjeerd de Zwaan stressed that his party supports Papua as an integral part of the unitary state of the Indonesian republic.
When asked about the attitude of the Dutch government towards the Melanesian Sparehead Group (MSG) which supports Papua free from Indonesia. Dutch Ambassador said, his visit to Papua to find out the implementation of Otsus Plus carried by the Governor and Deputy Governor of Papua Luke Enembe and Klemen Tinal.
We need to know that Papua is an integral part of Indonesia since the meeting of the Indonesian Independence Preparatory Committee (PPKI) on 18 August 1945, a day after Soekarno-Hatta proclaimed Indonesian Independence, on 17 August 1945. The Papua region is generally an area rich in biodiversity, with stormy natural resources, ethnicity and language.
From the geopolitical position, Papua borders countries that have potential global economic strength, starting from the Philippines to the north, then spread to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, to the Pacific islands and the American continent to the east while to the south, facing Australia. Seeing this position would certainly make the earth of paradise interested enough by investors to develop the economy in the area.
However, in reality the condition of the Papua region is still not fully developed, this is due to the unstable social and security conditions due to the continued development of separatist groups in the region.
Even groups who want Papua to separate from Indonesia, often engage in exchanges of fire with TNI / Polri officers, this security disturbance has hampered development of various sectors.
Until now the group that is still actively echoing independence for Papua is none other than the Free Papua Organization, where they have successfully ridden racialism in Surabaya to raise the Morning Star flag. This group also did not hesitate to show resistance to the TNI / Polri apparatus
Incessant activities of the group in voicing independence, get a negative response from the Pro NKRI group namely Barisan Rakyat Defender NKRI (Bara NKRI). Where the group has asked the authorities to crack down on groups who want to damage the life of the nation and state and break the unity, unity of Papua within the framework of the Republic of Indonesia.
Groups that want Papua to separate from the Unitary Republic of Indonesia, meaning they do not understand the ideology of Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution. In addition, the separatist group’s actions can lead to spontaneous rebellion of citizens who still want to be part of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia.
The condition of Indonesia which is plural in nature should be a reinforcing factor for unity among the people. Weak understanding and implementation of “Bhineka Tunggal Ika” has caused the community to become polarized based on ethnicity, race and religion. This is certainly not in accordance with the objectives of the founding fathers in establishing the Homeland.
As a sovereign country, the Indonesian people should work together together to support the realization of the unity and prosperity of the Indonesian people, not the other way around which would disrupt the realization of the integrity of the Republic of Indonesia. Bearing in mind that this will not produce positive results but negative results, which in turn interfere with the development of economic aspects – the local area.
The issue of independence disseminated by the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) group, for example, has not only triggered rejection of their movements, but has also given negative public responses to the group, so that there will be a possible impact on spontaneous actions that discredit the group.
We must remain aware that the NKRI is final stretching from Sabang to Merauke, from Mianggas to Rote Island.
So the government also needs to bring equitable, sustainable and equitable development in the Eastern Indonesia Region especially Papua. Therefore, we must protect Papua, because they are our brothers.
By safeguarding Papua to remain an integral part of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia, we also play a role in caring for the Indonesian nation from all attempts at division or separatism.
) * The writer is a Papuan student living in Jakarta
