Dialogue for Peaceful Papua

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

President Joko Widodo (left, facing camera) accompanied by Vice President Jusuf Kalla (right) presides over a limited meeting related to conditions in Papua at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Friday (30/08/2019). The president asked his staff to take strict action against anyone who violates the law.

Without recognizing their aspirations, the government\'s efforts to organize Papua, even though carried out through large programs, will not really answer the needs of residents.

Nearly eight years ago, Dr. Neles K Tebay Pr, lecturer at the East Fajar Philosophy and Theology College (STFT) in Abepura, Papua, reminded the government about the importance of listening to Papuans. In an article titled "Listening to the Hope of Papuans”, Neles, who from 2009 until his death in April last year, through the Papua Peace Network independently encouraged the use of constructive communication and peaceful dialogue in resolving the Papuan problem.

If there are vertical or horizontal conflicts, constructive communication becomes a dignified way to resolve it. Building Papua with the heart is a shared responsibility of the government and Papuans. The structuring of Papua can begin with a Jakarta-Papua dialogue involving both parties (Kompas, 13/9/2011). In dialogue there must be equality, openness and trust.

As a Papuan man, Neles who was born in Dogiyai regency certainly understood the basic character and attitude of Papuans. Conflicts that led to mass riots in Papua or West Papua are not only vertical - citizens are confronted by the state apparatus with political, social, economic or cultural interests - but also horizontal conflicts.

The conflict that is now "snowballing" into mass unrest in Papua also originated from friction between residents outside the land of Papua as well. In various conflicts related to Papua, the aroma of other parties\' interests are indeed felt.

However, up to now, the growing discourse to resolve the Papua problem, including from international circles, is still within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Anarchistic actions, as President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo reminded, actually harm Papuans themselves.

However, what is urged by the government is to listen to the hopes of the Papuan people and continue with the dialogue for a peaceful solution.

The president also intends to invite tribal leaders, traditional leaders, community leaders, and anyone who understands Papua to the dialogue. Legal actions against those who violate them, including those that triggered widespread conflict this time, have also been carried out openly and fairly.

However, what is urged by the government is to listen to the hopes of the Papuan people and continue with the dialogue for a peaceful solution.

President Jokowi actually has a strong opportunity to hold a dialogue for a peaceful Papua because in the 2019 Elections he received great trust from the people of Papua. Out of 3,333,065 valid votes in Papua, the Jokowi-KH Ma\'ruf Amin pair won 3,021,713 votes, or more than 90.6 percent.

KOMPAS/FABIO MARIA LOPES COSTA

Residents return to their normal activities in the city of Jayapura, Papua, Tuesday (8/20/2019).

Similar achievements have also taken place in West Papua. Jokowi was able to directly lead the dialogue because the people of Papua placed great trust in him. Now is the time to determine the representatives of the people of Papua who will be invited to the dialogue. In Papua, there are at least 255 tribes. Most of them believe in the leaders of this country.