By: Yomani Karu
The Free Papua Movement (OPM) often spreads various issues with very provocative narratives and propaganda efforts that distort the facts on the ground. This continues to victimize indigenous Papuans (OAP) only for the sake of their own interests.
OPM has indeed long been a threat to stability and peace in the region nicknamed Bumi Cenderawasih. They seem to continue to argue to fight for independence, when in fact they often only use various very detrimental methods, one of which is by spreading propaganda.
The existence of propaganda actions from the Free Papua Organization increasingly places the OAP community as the most underestimated party, because in reality by spreading such narratives, the OPM is actually only fighting for the interests of its own group.
The propaganda spread by the separatist groups, enemies of the country, often contains narratives that distort the facts on the ground. Through various channels, they depict the situation as if there is systematic injustice.
The terrorist gangs continue to try to create fear and distrust among the people, which ultimately only makes the Papuan people themselves continue to live in uncertainty and worry.
Furthermore, OPM often carries out violent actions that they claim as a form of resistance. They attack public facilities, target security forces, and sometimes attack civilians who they consider to be parties who do not support their struggle. All of these actions are not in the interests of the Papuan people, but rather to show their existence and gain international attention.
Unfortunately, innocent Papuans are the victims of this never-ending conflict. They have to live in fear of attacks, lose access to education and health services, and experience trauma from violence.
In addition, OPM often exploits community dissatisfaction to recruit new members. They build a narrative that joining them is the only way to improve living conditions in Papua.
In fact, OPM’s actions actually worsen the situation. Development that should be able to improve people’s welfare is hampered by violence and conflict. As a result, Papuans who should be able to live in peace and prosperity are trapped in a never-ending cycle of violence.
It is important to realize that the OPM struggle is more related to the interests of a handful of elites within the organization. They exploit public dissatisfaction to strengthen their position, both domestically and internationally.
Meanwhile, the Papuan people who are the objects of propaganda do not get any benefits from this struggle. Instead, they lose the opportunity to live in peace and develop.
One proof that OPM only fights for group interests is the existence of factions within the organization. These factions often clash with each other, sometimes even committing violence to fight for power and influence.
This shows that the OPM struggle is not about the Papuan people, but about the ambitions and personal interests of the OPM leaders themselves. Papuans are only used as tools to achieve their goals.
As an example of the real and clear propaganda efforts carried out by the separatist group, namely their actions in shooting and killing a helicopter pilot from New Zealand named Glen Malcolm Conning.
Instead of admitting it, OPM actually spread propaganda and tried to justify the action and was completely irresponsible. According to the Head of the Public Relations Task Force (Kasatgas Humas) for Operation Damat Cartenz 2024, Grand Commissioner of Police (Kombes Pol) Bayu Suseno, the terrorist group’s statement was clearly a propaganda effort.
Then, the Chief of General Staff (Kasum) of the TNI, Lieutenant General (Letjen) Richard Tampubolon explained that there were also attempts at provocation and propaganda by the OPM to the public to make them feel anxious and afraid, namely as if there would be a military operation.
In fact, it is clear that this is not true at all and is only an attempt by the Free Papua Movement to intimidate the community. So the security forces strongly condemn all these actions and continue to strengthen coordination in a measured manner in order to take firm action.
There is another OPM propaganda effort, namely they seem to claim that they will soon release Susi Air pilot, Philip Mark Mehrtens in the near future. In reality, even until now this has not happened and in fact on the ground, the separatist group actually killed a pilot named Glen Malcolm Conning.
On the other hand, Major General (Mayjen) Nugraha Gumilar also revealed that there had been OPM propaganda, namely they accused the TNI of dropping bombs on the Papua area in Nduga Regency.
All of this real evidence is the fact that it is very clear that OPM often spreads various propaganda efforts so that they continue to increasingly sacrifice Papuan civilians only for the interests of their own groups and factions, and do not at all represent the people of Bumi Cenderawasih.
*) Law student, Yapis University, Papua
