JAKARTA, KOMPAS — A permanent solution is needed to end turmoil in Papua. Thus far, efforts in Papua tend to be initiated only after huge incidents without any effort to resolve the root problems. Respect for culture, social issues and local politics must be prioritized to achieve peace and fairness for Papuans.
Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Speaker Oesman Sapta Odang said that protests in several regions of Papua and West Papua should serve as a valuable lesson for all Indonesians. Issues in Papua had to be tackled continuously, not only when huge incidents occurred.
“There are things hidden in Papuan society that we have never embraced. We have never found the roots of the problem. We have always been reactive in handling problems in Papua,” Oesman said in a discussion themed “Finding Permanent Solutions for Papua” at the Kompas offices in Jakarta on Friday (6/9/2019).
Other speakers at the discussion were People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Zulkifli Hasan, House of Representatives speaker Bambang Soesatyo, House speaker expert on political, legal and security affairs Yorrys Raweyai, former presidential special envoy for peace in Papua Farid Husain and Agency for Pancasila Ideology Education (BPIP) advisory council expert Benny Susetyo.
On Friday, another protest was held in Manokwari, West Papua, over racial abuse of Papuan students in Surabaya last month. The wave of protests began on Aug. 19 and has rocked several locations of Papua and West Papua in the past weeks.
Bambang said the recurring protests in Papua were due to fundamental economic and political issues. The House has the obligation to come up with proper policies to resolve these issues.
Bambang said the House would open communication channels with Papuan figures of various backgrounds in the near future. As a mid-term solution, the House plans to work with the government to evaluate Law No. 21/2001 on Special Autonomy for Papua. The evaluation is needed, as the government has disbursed Rp 115 trillion (US$8.17 billion) in special autonomy funds for Papua but that had yet to improve the welfare of people in Papua and West Papua.
“Social integration of Papuans must also continue. Real action is required to win the hearts and minds of Papuans,” Bambang said.
Zulkifli said a proper formula to win the hearts and minds of Papuans should begin with giving them full trust to take care of their own needs.
Zulkifli said the memory of being treated unjustly had left Papuans feeling estranged from other Indonesians.
Anomaly
Yorrys said peace had to be established in Papua, while the current situation showed anomalies in the government’s security approach to Papua.
“The government says conditions in Papua are safe, but law enforcement [personnel] keeps being deployed there. The Indonesian Military commander and National Police chief set up offices in Jayapura. This spreads fear among the people,” Yorrys said.
Benny emphasized that non-local security personnel should be pulled from Papua. To win the hearts and minds of young Papuans, President Joko Widodo must talk with Papuan academics and students.
Based on past experience in meeting with Papuan separatist leaders, Farid said, they generally remained open to talks with the government. However, such dialogue had to be based on mutual trust, not suspicion, especially from security personnel.
“They are disappointed and angry due to legal and economic injustice. Therefore, a [soft] approach is required,” he said. (SAN/FRN/FLO/SEM/EDN/NCA/DVD)