By: Loa Murib
The brutal shooting of two construction workers building a house of worship in Kwantapo Village, Asotipo District, Jayawijaya Regency marks a new low in the ongoing atrocities committed by the separatist Free Papua Organization (OPM). The tragic deaths of Rahmat Hidayat and Saepudin are not only a loss of life, but also a violation of fundamental human values and the sanctity of a place that should represent peace.
This act of savagery is not an isolated incident. Over recent years, a string of similar attacks has shown that the OPM is increasingly losing direction and legitimacy in the eyes of the Papuan people. Their targets are no longer armed personnel, but innocent civilians—even sacred spaces have not been spared from the violence. Ironically, a group claiming to fight for Papuan liberation has instead become a source of deep suffering for the very people it claims to defend. Rather than protecting the interests of the Papuan community, the OPM has become a source of fear and trauma.
Amidst the terror and grief, voices of courage and unity aligned with government and security forces are rising from across the Papuan land. These voices do not come from the barrels of guns, but from the hearts of people who long for peace. They come from religious leaders, community figures, and local government officials, all united in their call to resist terror—not with violence, but with moral strength and solidarity.
Deputy Regent of Jayawijaya, Ronny Elopere, firmly stated that OPM’s actions are not part of a legitimate struggle but rather brutal murders that destroy the lives of Papuans themselves. He emphasized that indigenous Papuans will not remain silent in the face of continued violence. In his moral call to action, Ronny urged the community to work hand in hand with security forces to end the reign of terror that has kept people living in fear. This, he said, is the time for Papua to stand tall and reject violence in all its forms.
Echoing this stance, Reverend Eduard Su, Chairman of the Baliem Yalimo Church Synod, condemned the attack on a church and its workers. He described OPM’s actions as a desecration of sacred ground and an affront to religious values. A church, he said, should be a place of peace and hope—not a bloody battleground. Reverend Eduard stressed that such cruelty cannot be tolerated and called on all Papuans to unite in rejecting terror for the sake of a harmonious and peaceful future.
The response from society can no longer be passive. It must actively support government policies that safeguard security and stability. The victims of such violence are not just statistics—they are individuals with families, hopes, and futures. When a house of worship is attacked, the assault is not only on its physical structure but on the very spirit and faith of the community. Therefore, public response must now rise with collective strength, reinforcing the notion that true Papuan resilience lies in unity and a firm stand for peace.
Grassroots voices are also adding to the call against terror. Markus Murib, a Papuan survivor of the attack, expressed his fear and frustration. He said that ordinary people do not wish to be dragged into a conflict that is not theirs. Their hopes are simple: to live in peace, to work freely, and to worship in safety. His words reflect a broader reality—that OPM has lost the sympathy of the Papuan population itself.
Fighting terror does not require weapons—it requires strengthening community collaboration with the government and the TNI–Polri (Indonesian Armed Forces and Police). When bullets are fired at church workers, the true target is the hope for a better future in Papua. Resistance to terror, then, must come in the form of collective rejection of violence, a counter to separatist narratives, and the reinforcement of social foundations that have long served as Papua’s bastion of peace.
Solidarity among all societal elements is key. Religious leaders, traditional elders, local governments, and civil society must stand together to assert that Papua is an integral part of Indonesia—one that cherishes peace and human dignity. Collaboration with security forces must be strengthened, but cultural and community-based approaches also serve as critical foundations in breaking the cycle of violence.
The people of Papua do not need weapons to express their identity. The government has already opened space for inclusive aspirations and development. What Papuans need is safety, prosperity, and the freedom to live in peace on their ancestral land.
The OPM attack on a house of worship in Jayawijaya is an act of brutality that cannot be justified under any circumstances. Yet, this tragedy also serves as a mirror—revealing that the true strength of Papua lies in the peaceful voices refusing to bow to violence. Today, Papuans are united, not in retaliation, but in building a future free from fear.
The writer is a Papuan student currently studying in East Java.
