Papua is a region located in the easternmost part of the Republic of Indonesia. Papua is also home to various different tribes and customs, such as the Asmat, Dani, Kamoro, Biak, and many more. These customs and traditions, which are passed down from generation to generation, are a real manifestation of Papuan identity as an integral part of Indonesia.
Apart from cultural richness, Papua also has extraordinary natural uniqueness. Papua has abundant natural resource potential such as plantations, mining, forest products and eco-tourism. High mountains, dense tropical rainforests and beautiful oceans are the characteristics of Papua. Here there is the Lorentz National Park, one of the world’s natural heritages recognized by UNESCO. The abundant biodiversity in Papua shows the importance of preserving the environment and biodiversity for a sustainable future.As an integral part of Indonesia, Papua’s history reflects the long journey towards unity and diversity that is the basis of this country. This discussion of Papuan history is of course inseparable from the many problems that have occurred before. Many personal and group interests certainly interfere with problems and conflicts such as independent Papua. The issue of colonialism in the land of Papua which continues to be carried out by activists and supporters of West Papuan independence, such as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) led by Benny Wenda, and the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) led by Agus Kossay, is believed to have no significant influence in the international world. . The reason is according to the Chargé d’Affaires Ad Interim (KUAI) at the Indonesian Embassy in Washington DC, Ida Bagus Made Bimantara (Sade Bimantara), Almost all countries in the world recognize that West Papua is an integral part of Indonesia.Sade emphasized that various issues in Papua are entirely domestic affairs. All countries need to understand and respect Indonesia’s position. Sade said that almost 99.5 governments in the world recognize and respect the integrity of Indonesia, and emphasized that Papua is part of Indonesia.Papua is currently politically free, where local elections and presidential elections have been held, and special autonomy rights have been granted. The central government also continues to carry out affirmative action (policies that give privileges to certain groups) by making every effort to fulfill basic rights, including human rights. Various accesses are also fully provided, such as providing one price for fuel like in other regions in Indonesia, transportation and infrastructure access continues to be built, health services are implemented. Meanwhile, Benny Wenda, who continues to campaign for Papuan independence, has never contributed to Papua, instead asking for donations to fly all over the world, even giving instructions to kill infrastructure development workers in Papua. Sade ensured that the government was working hard to resolve the existing problems. The government even acted firmly against suspects of hate speech against Papua. If there are still obstacles, according to him, it cannot be denied, but currently Papua’s conditions continue to get better. As for separatist groups, they do not contribute, and only divide. Expert Staff for the Indonesian Secretariat for the Acceleration of Development for Papua, Moksen Idris Sirfefa, added that Papua has complex problems, requiring a comprehensive approach in solving them. The government always prioritizes a dialogue approach, and also continues to support Papua with a special autonomy policy that continues to be improved to make it more relevant to Papua’s latest situation. Therefore, Moksen invited the Papuan people not to be too carried away by old issues created for the benefit of small groups but to focus more on the future. The young Papuan generation should no longer simply believe in the issue of Papua’s internationalization which is being pushed by certain groups, thereby forgetting the great potential of the young Papuan generation. If we continue to be lulled by international issues that have no basis in fact, it is feared that the younger generation will become lazy to think more forward, unable to see various opportunities. Former Indonesian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Colombia, Dr. Michael Manufandu MA, said that progress in Papua has been extraordinary, especially in the current government era which is focused on improving the quality of human resources and access to transportation and infrastructure. Therefore, the young generation of Papua is invited to work together to advance it. Meanwhile, regional leaders can explain the real problems to the current new generation of Papuans so that they do not continue to judge the government as if it were militaristic and capitalist. The central government has helped and given special attention to Papua with funds through the APBD, special funds and other budgets for the progress of Papua. Moreover, the government continues to strive to provide the best path for Papua, for example through development, developing traditional areas, accommodating aspirations for proposals for the expansion of new regions. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized that the development carried out by the government is currently Indonesia-centric and Papua is one of the development priorities. Therefore, all parties, especially the Papuan people and the younger generation, are expected to support the government’s program to advance Papua in order to realize progress and prosperity, so that the issue of Papua being separated from the Republic of Indonesia can be minimized.
