Benny Wenda and ULMWP are not representatives of the Papuan people at the MSG Summit, Papua is an integral part of the Republic of Indonesia
Jakarta – Observer of Strategic and Global Issues, Prof. Imron Cotan assessed that Indonesia’s achievements at the MSG Summit were very good. He stated this in the Moya Institute National Webinar with the theme “Benny Wenda’s efforts failed at the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Summit, Friday (22/09) afternoon.
According to him, most cases of human rights violations were carried out by the Papuan Separatist and Terrorist Group (KSTP), not by security forces and also by social conflicts between Papuans.
“So it is a myth that serious human rights violations are committed by security forces. “Most of the news on social media about Papua does not match the reality on the ground,” he explained.
Benny Wenda and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), he continued, do not represent the majority of people in Papua, because the seven major tribes there are not represented at all by Benny.
Prof. Imron said that his party knew exactly the development of the Papua issue in the MSG group of countries, and firmly stated that there had been a change in the paradigm of these countries when they looked at the Papua issue from another perspective.
Another resource person, Prof. Dr. Teuku Rezasyah as an International Relations Expert at Padjadjaran University, Bandung, believes that Indonesia needs to be firm towards foreign parties so that the country can be free from various crimes, including freedom from the crimes of the Papuan civilization, civil crimes, human trafficking and so on.
According to him, development in Papua must be carried out by the government in a sustainable manner.
“There must be a strong focus to be able to truly defend Indonesia’s sovereignty and this is something that is important and can continue to be supported by all parties. “Therefore development must be systematic and include inviting the Papuan people themselves,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Papua Deliberative Body, Willem Frans Ansanai, as a son of the Papua region, believes that the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia will remain intact even though Benny Wenda continues to strive for Papuan independence.
“After the DOB was responded to by President Jokowi and it is currently being implemented well, the Papuan people are very enthusiastic about the development. “Even the last MSG summit didn’t really appear in Papuan society itself,” he said.
Willem believes that the efforts made by Benny Wenda and his group in the international world are very disturbing for the Republic of Indonesia. However, he sees that Benny Wenda’s work will not have an impact on Papua.
“I have a strong belief that the resolution for Papua is clear, from a historical perspective to the aspect of improving Papua, our country is very concerned and its implementation is progressing well,” he explained.
He also considered that the implementation of the MSG Summit was an extraordinary achievement for Indonesian diplomacy.
“I am very optimistic that if there is a call from separatist groups, and I declare that Papua is part of the Republic of Indonesia, there will be resistance from the MSG countries. “My note for Papua is that apart from facing this group, we must know that Benny Wenda is a prisoner and is making efforts to build the spirit of the Free Papua movement,” he continued.
On the same occasion, reform politician Mahfuz Sidik said that all parties needed to appreciate the Indonesian delegation at the MSG forum for taking firm and appropriate steps by walking out when Benny Wenda delivered his speech.
“That attitude influenced the final decision of the MSG Summit. “Because from MSG there are several parties who continue to push and look for loopholes to support ULMWP,” he said.
According to him, everyone has agreed that when talking about this issue, it is only a small group, some of whom do not live in Papua, and continue to put forward ideas about separatism and look for ways, not just domestic maneuvers but international diplomacy to get a lot of support.
Indonesia and Papua, he added, are inseparable parts. All parties must work together to advance development and accelerate increased progress in Papua.
Likewise, the Executive Director of the Moya Institute, Hery Sucipto, said that however, Papua cannot be separated from the Republic of Indonesia.
“Because it is the obligation and right of all of us to defend against all undermining or attempts to separate ourselves,” he concluded. (*)
