By: Edward Krey )*
The provocation of Papuan separatist groups which continues to leave concerns over the fading of the nationalism of the people. But apparently, only about 0.1 percent of the people of Papua are members of the Free Papua Organization (OPM), the remaining 99 percent of the people of Papua still love and recognize the sovereignty of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). This shows that many Papuans love Indonesia.
This was revealed by Isran Noor as Chairman of the Association of Regency Governments throughout Indonesia (Apkasi) at the time. The statement was based on his experience in conducting visits to various regions in Papua, and talking directly with the Regents, members of the DPRD, as well as traditional leaders and community leaders from various layers in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Association.
The fact is that separatist movements in Papua have been strongly opposed by traditional leaders in Papua. They also reject the notion that December 1 is the day of independence for the Papuan Nation. They also flatly reject December 1 as the Independence Day of the Papuan Nation.
Ramses on behalf of Papuan leaders also called on all separatists to stop all actions or demonstrations calling for Papuan independence. He considered that the action could not prosper Papua, it would actually cause divisions for the Indonesian people as well as the people of Papua.
During the Jokowi – JK administration period, the MPR as a state institution had taken concrete steps in disseminating basic principles in the life of the nation and state for the people of Papua. Maybe it was part of the ‘mental revolution’ which was often echoed by Joko Widodo.
The commitment of the community to remain with Indonesia is important, because a nation will never reach its intended goal if our national vision has not become one. Like an airplane with 2 pilots who have different directions, the passengers will certainly be confused, going west or east. If no one unites, the destination may not arrive and the plane will break apart.
Of course we still remember the bitter experience of the release of the province of East Timor which is now the State of Timor Leste. Although at that time the Indonesian government had sent young East Timorese to renowned campuses in Indonesia to study, but because of their failure to build emotional ties, they finally shifted their views to the referendum conducted during the presidency of BJ Habibie.
In that context, we should also understand that building Papua in addition to building physically and human resources (HR), is also important to build a national spirit. This is certainly not an easy task in the midst of the redefinition of Papuans as Melanesians who are non-Austronesian and are going to continue by transmitting them from one generation to the next.
At the national level the government also provides opportunities for Papuans to contribute. As in the era of President Megawati, there was Manuel Kaisiepo who served as Deputy Minister of Affairs for the Acceleration of Eastern Indonesia Development in the National Unity Cabinet.
In the era of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) there were indigenous Papuans Freddy Numberi who served as Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and Balthasar Kambuaya as Minister of the Environment. In addition, in the era of President Jokowi, there was also Yohana Yembise who served as minister of women’s empowerment and child protection.
The single motto of diversity is that it must be implemented equally. The Papuan people certainly have a place in areas outside Papua to contribute to the State, of course taking into account the capacity of human resources.
The Government’s efforts to build a national spirit through government programs and performance also showed good results, with 90 percent of respondents saying they were satisfied with programs from the central government in Papua, while 62 percent said that the programs were running well.
Learning from the events in East Java in August, we must avoid racism’s attitude towards the Papuan people. This is our manifestation in practicing the values of Pancasila which have become the ideology of the Nation and as an effort to implement the motto Unity in Diversity in the life of the nation and state.
Differences in ethnicity and skin color certainly cannot be a reason not to unite, words from ‘Sabang to Merauke’ which expressly show the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia should not change. It means that we protect Papuans, so we also protect Indonesian people.
)* The writer is a Papuan Student, living in Yogyakarta