By: Loa Murib
The brutal shooting of two construction workers working on a house of worship in Kwantapo Village, Asotipo District, Jayawijaya Regency, marks a new low in the series of atrocities continuously perpetrated by the separatist Free Papua Organization (OPM). In this appalling incident, two civilians, Rahmat Hidayat and Saepudin, tragically lost their lives. The attack not only claimed innocent lives but also violated fundamental human values and desecrated a sacred place meant to be a space of peace.
This cruelty is not the first. Over the past few years, similar attacks have shown that the OPM is increasingly losing direction and legitimacy in the eyes of Papuans. Their targets are no longer security forces, but innocent civilians—even the house of God has not been spared. Ironically, a group that claims to be fighting for Papuan freedom now inflicts deep suffering on the very indigenous Papuans it professes to liberate. Instead of advocating for the people, OPM has become a source of fear and trauma.
Yet amidst the terror and sorrow, courageous voices of unity—aligned with the efforts of the government and security forces—are rising from all corners of Papua. These voices are not born from the barrels of guns, but from the hearts of those yearning for peace. They come from religious leaders, community figures, and local officials united in opposing terror—not through violence, but through moral strength and solidarity.
Ronny Elopere, Deputy Regent of Jayawijaya, stated firmly that what OPM is doing is not a struggle for freedom, but a brutal act of murder that destroys the lives of Papuan people. He emphasized that indigenous Papuans will not stand by while violence continues. In his resonant moral call, Ronny urged the community to work together with security forces to end the terror that has kept people living in fear. This, he said, is the moment for Papua to stand tall and reject all forms of violence.
The same moral support came from Reverend Eduard Su, Chairman of the Baliem Yalimo Synod, who strongly condemned the attack on the church and civilians. He described OPM’s actions as a desecration of a sacred place and a violation of religious values. Churches, he emphasized, should be symbols of peace and hope—not bloodstained battlefields. According to him, such brutality must no longer be tolerated, and the people of Papua must unite to reject all forms of terror in pursuit of a harmonious and peaceful future.
The public response can no longer be passive—it must support government policies to preserve stability and security. Victims of violence are not mere statistics—they are individuals with families, hopes, and dreams. When places of worship are targeted, it is not only the buildings that are attacked, but also the spirit and faith of the community. This is the time to demonstrate that Papua’s true strength lies in unity and steadfastness in upholding peace.
Voices from the grassroots further reinforce the rejection of terror. Markus Murib, a native Papuan survivor of the attack, expressed his fear and disappointment. He stated that ordinary people do not want to be drawn into a conflict that does not belong to them. Their hopes are simple: to live peacefully, to work safely, and to worship freely. Markus’s words reflect the reality that the OPM has lost the support of the Papuan people themselves.
Resistance to terror need not involve weapons; instead, it must focus on strengthening collaboration between communities, the government, and the TNI–Polri (Indonesian Armed Forces and Police). When bullets are aimed at church workers, the true target is the hope for a better Papuan future. Therefore, the fight against terror must rely on collective moral resolve, rejecting violence, countering separatist narratives, and reinforcing the social foundations that have long served as Papua’s bedrock of peace.
Solidarity among all sectors of society is crucial. Religious leaders, traditional elders, local governments, and civil society must come together and affirm that Papua is an integral part of Indonesia, committed to peace and human dignity. While collaboration with security forces remains essential, cultural and community-based approaches are also key to breaking the cycle of violence.
Papuan communities do not need weapons to express their identity, as the government has opened wide space for inclusive aspirations and development. Papua is a land rich in culture, spirituality, and extraordinary human potential. What Papuans need is security, prosperity, and the freedom to live in peace on their ancestral land.
The OPM attack on a place of worship in Jayawijaya is a barbaric act that cannot be justified under any circumstances. Yet, this tragedy also serves as a mirror reflecting the true strength of Papua: a peaceful voice that refuses to yield to violence. Today, the people of Papua are united—not in vengeance, but in building a future free from fear.
The author is a Papuan student currently studying in East Java.
