By: Jeremiah Kagoya) *
The statement of Papua is part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, not just words, but is real. Especially if judging from the historical value, it will be clearly seen that Papua is one body with the motherland because the entry process of Papua has been ratified by the United Nations (UN)
The long history of the popular consultation meeting (Pepera) has been held from July 24 to August 1969. At the beginning the UN sent 50 staff to Papua, but then this number was reduced by half, which eventually only set as many as 16 people including administrative staff.
The UN agreed to limit the number of its officials so that those who oversee the Act in small numbers. So the perception of the UN as a world organization under pressure from Indonesia is not true. This Pepera supervisory duty began on August 23, 1968.
The implementation of this Act was carried out in 8 districts, namely Jayawijaya, Merauke, Paniai, Fakfak, Sorong, Biak, Manokwari and Jayapura. Which was attended by 1026 members of the Council of the Council of Pepera (DMP), representing the number of Papuans who at that time numbered 809,327 inhabitants.
The DMP consists of 400 people representing traditional elements (chief / customary), 360 people representing regional fiber elements 266 people representing elements of political organizations and other social organizations. The results of the Act held in 8 West Irian District (Papua) chose and determined that Papua is an absolute part of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia.
The results were then agreed upon and agreed with the signature of all those present at the meeting. De facto, the Papuan people chose to integrate with the territory of the Republic of Indonesia. The issuance of UN Resolution 2504 at the General Session of 19 November 1969 stated that if 82 countries agreed, there were 30 abstentions and no one disagreed. This has shown that the international world has recognized the validity of the 1969 Pepera.
The UN seems to have taken into account the consequences of democratic democracy with the pros and cons of the outcome of the Act. Dissenting opinions on those who accept decisions also oppose decisions. The lawsuit regarding the legitimacy of the Act of Free Choice by the OPM is considered to be only a scapegoating effort by looking for historical gaps that are used for its interests.
The Act of Free Choice in 1969 was carried out according to regional conditions and community development. Which is not possible to do as “one man, one vote”. If this is seen as a deficiency or disability, in fact the United Nations has accepted the legitimacy of the Act of Free Choice through resolution No. 2504. In fact, the international community fully recognizes and no one has refused.
That way, the UN resolution should be adopted in order to recognize the results of this Act as a valid document because the Act has been implemented. Even though it is based on a representative system, the results of the Act of Acceptance have been well received as a final decision.
In the same case as in East Timor it shows that despite objections about the holding of the popular consultation, the United Nations will ultimately remain in its position. Namely stated firmly if the people of East Timor had chosen to part with the Republic of Indonesia. This choice was immediately recognized by the international community, despite objections made by various parties.
UN Resolution No. 2504 is a clear statement of the UN’s recognition of the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia to Papua. What needs to be underlined is that any attempt to separate from the Republic of Indonesia is an act of opposition to applicable international law. Including the UN charter itself.
From this we can see that the results of this Act have been final and valid, although many consider it a disability related to the results. In fact, the United Nations stated that the attempt to separate from the territory of the Republic of Indonesia could be indicated as a form of opposition to the United Nations.
The results of the Act have ended, the final verdict and can be accounted for de facto de jure. The joining of Papua was also suspected to have existed before Indonesia’s independence was proclaimed. Which is reinforced by the map created by the Netherlands East Indies government in 1931.
So there is no longer any doubt about Papua which is part of the Republic of Indonesia anymore, right? Moreover, the people of Papua themselves state that if Indonesia is a land spilled by their blood. Furthermore they also stated that they gained independence in Indonesia so there was no reason to seek other independence.
) * The writer is a Papuan student living in Jakarta
