By : Maria Pariri Hurlatu )*
The United Nations (UN) has determined that Papua is an integral part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). Not only that, all the political polemics during the independence period have actually been resolved, so it will no longer be relevant if there are still groups who question this and continue to strive for regional independence in the Land of Cenderawasih.
Former Deputy Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), Indonesian National Army Junior Marshal (Purnawirawan) Maroef Sjamsoeddin also revealed that the political polemic that previously occurred in Papua has now completely resolved. Papua is part of the Republic of Indonesia.
In fact, the occurrence of conflict or political polemics in Papua is the cause of domestic problems in Indonesia, which have all been resolved politically. The region that was previously called Irian Jaya was later renamed Papua during the era of the leadership of the fourth President of the Republic of Indonesia (RI), Abdurrahmn Wahid or Gus Dur.
Indeed, the facts show that Papua itself became independent at a time that did not coincide with other regions in the country, namely in 1945. However, this does not mean that the Papua region is not an integral part of the Republic of Indonesia.
The reason is, after going through a referendum and also a decision made by the UN in New York, a People’s Opinion Determination (Pepera) was then carried out in Irian Jaya at that time. The results of the Pepera that had been carried out decided that Papua would join the Republic of Indonesia, so that in fact all the political problems that occurred at that time had automatically been resolved.
Even though all the problems or political polemics have been resolved, there are still strong feelings among a handful of people in Bumi Cenderawasih, because they believe that Papua’s independence was not in the same time period as the independence of other regions in Indonesia, namely in 1945.
There are still feelings from some people or groups in the Land of Papua who are dissatisfied with the independence of the Republic of Indonesia. Therefore, after the Pepera was held and the UN officially made their decision to include the Irian Jaya region (Papua today) as an integral part of the country around 1962-1963, then a number of people felt that they did not agree and were still not satisfied. founded the Free Papua Organization (OPM).
However, in fact the data also shows that OPM itself has many factions, some of which are domestic political factions, then there are political factions abroad, and there are also armed factions which are still scattered in mountainous areas. and various other places in Papua. All the different factions within the OPM also operate with different commanders.
There is an armed faction, which can also be said to be the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). They have around 13 Kodap, both in the Mountain region and also in other districts. One commander and another also work independently and are not coordinated with each other.
OPM itself does not only operate among the elderly, they also continue to spread their wings by moving in various circles, including among the youth, to brainwash the younger generation on Earth of Cenderawasih to take part and become OPM sympathizers. They openly and did not hesitate to continue making efforts to fly the OPM flag and carry the flag even during a demonstration in front of the State Palace in Jakarta some time ago.
Until now there are still several problems, especially how the Government of the Republic of Indonesia (RI) is trying to continue to collaborate and invite a handful of dissatisfied groups to return to the fold of the Republic of Indonesia and fully recognize the sovereignty of the nation and realize that Papua itself is an integral part of the nation. This.
This is also of course because there are many figures in each faction, so it becomes a difficulty in carrying out negotiations. The incident in Papua is also very different compared to the movement in Aceh because they have a central figure so that when they want to enter into negotiations it will be much easier.
In fact, it is no longer relevant if there are still parties or a handful of people who are dissatisfied with Papua. This is because all polemics or political issues involving this region have been resolved a long time ago, and the UN has also determined that Papua is an integral part of the Republic of Indonesia and is final.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Bali
