Dialogue Hoped to Maintain Peace in Papua

KOMPAS/ALIF ICHWAN

Papuans perform the Yospan dance, which celebrates friendship, during car-free day on Sunday (1/9/2019) at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Jakarta. The mass dance was performed as a peaceful demonstration to urge an end to the recent racial conflict that spurred a series of protests in Papua and West Papua. Many Papuans arrived in traditional dress, while others wore T-shirts that read “Papua Is Indonesia” that were emblazoned with the cendrawasih (bird of paradise), which is endemic to Papua and is the symbol of the Wonderful Indonesia national tourism campaign.

A number of groups have engaged in dialogue in a bid to maintain the peace in Papua. The problems of Papua run deeper than economic aspects and the welfare of the local people.

MANOKWARI, KOMPAS — The government is engaged in dialogue with a number of Papuan community leaders to promote peace for all people in the area. At the same time, the National Police have banned protests in Papua against violence and racist remarks that victimized Papuan students in East Java in mid-August.

The demonstrations were prohibited because they are no longer conducted to convey aspirations and are prone to anarchic acts. The dialogue effort also needs to broaden our perspective on Papua.

The Papua problem is not only a matter of prosperity and economy. Issues of human rights and politics must also be taken into consideration.

West Papua Governor Dominggus Mandacan held a dialogue with community leaders in Manokwari, West Papua, on Sunday. He talked with hundreds of Arfak tribal leaders. The event was also attended by Arfak Mountains Regent Yosias Saroi, South Manokwari Regent Markus Waran and officials from Manokwari regency. The regions are part of the Arfak Mountains community\'s customary territory.

Dominggus, who is also the chairman of the large Arfak tribe, invited all tribes and ethnic groups living in Manokwari to maintain peace in Manokwari. In addition to the Arfak tribe, other ethnic groups included residents from a number of Papuan regions and from outside Papua, who are commonly called Nusantara tribes.

OMPAS/ALIF ICHWAN

Young Papuans in headdresses, feathered armbands, grass skirts and body paint prepare to take part in the Yospan dance, which celebrates friendship, during car-free day on Sunday (1/9/2019) at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Jakarta. The mass dance event was held as part of a peaceful demonstration urging an end to the recent series of protests in Papua and West Papua, which were triggered by racial attacks on Papuan students in East Java. Attending the event were Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto, Freddy Numberi, a Papuan and former fisheries minister during the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration, as well as Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Gatot Eddy Pramono and Jakarta Military commander Maj. Gen. TNI Eko Margiyono.

"The Arfak tribe as the host in Manokwari must maintain security and peace in this city. This is the responsibility of all of us. Respect those who live in our home. Also, we also ask those both from the land of Papua and from Nusantara to respect us. Respect us by maintaining security in this city," said Dominggus.

He asked the Arfak people in Manokwari and the surrounding areas to refrain from anarchic action such as at the demonstration in Manokwari on Aug. 19, during which a number of government buildings had been set on fire. He asked the Arfak people not to become involved in the demonstration.

Demonstrations banned

Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Rudolf Albert Rodja said the police, along with the Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih military command, had also approached a number of community groups in Jayapura so as not to be easily provoked by demonstrations that ended in chaos, such as the demonstration that took place on Aug. 29 in Jayapura.

"We have met with community groups. During the meeting, we promised to provide security for those affected by anarchic demonstrations," Rudolf said.

Related to this, the Papua Police have banned demonstrations to protest against violence and racist remarks victimizing Papuan students. Rudolf said the police would take firm action against people involved in demonstrations.

The commander of the XVII/Cenderawasih military command, Maj. Gen. Yosua Pandit Sembiring, said his side had an additional 700 troops to secure the city of Jayapura. "We, together with the National Police, do not want [chaotic demonstrations] to be repeated," he said.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Local residents sign the “East Java Loves Papua Declaration” on Jl. Darmo in Surabaya, East Java, Saturday (1/9/2019). The public declaration encourages people to maintain kinship and unity in the nation.

The acting head of the Human Rights Commission in Papua, Frits Ramandey, said the demonstration in Jayapura that turned anarchic on Aug. 29 had tarnished the spirit of resistance over alleged racism against Papuan students in East Java.

"We support the Papua Police in upholding the law against unruly people involved in anarchic acts and looting," he said. On Sunday, the situation in Jayapura had returned to normal. Gas stations and shops have reopened, and residents have begun to buy staple supply and gasoline.

Don\'t add fuel to the fire

While delivering assistance in the form of a boat to fishermen in Tanjung Padang village, Sirenja district, Donggala regency, Central Sulawesi, on Saturday, the chairman of Muhammadiyah, Haedar Nashir, warned the local residents not to aggravate the situation in Papua. "In situations like this, we need to promote our diversity and mutual cooperation," said Haedar.

He noted that Papua was part of Indonesia. Papuans were still eager to interact in a friendly atmosphere with other fellow citizens of the country. Frictions in social life were natural, Haedar said. "Take it as salt [experience] that can make us more mature."

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

A woman signs the “East Java Loves Papua Declaration” on Jl. Darmo in Surabaya, East Java, Saturday (1/9/2019). Thousands signed the public declaration, which encourages the nation’s citizens to maintain kinship and unity.

Separately, the chairman of the Institute for Human Resource Study and Development (Lakpesdam) of Nahdlatul Ulama, Rumadi Ahmad, hopes a dialogue approach based on dignity and mutual respect would be the government\'s first choice in dealing with issues in Papua.

The security approach will not to solve the problem of Papua. "Weapons may calm down Papua, but that will be only a temporary [effect]. "Lasting peace in Papua can only be achieved through dignified ways, mutual respect, dialogue and ways of peace," he said.

The situation of Papua, according to Rumadi, had spread everywhere. The demonstrations that had been triggered initially by alleged racism against Papuan students in Surabaya and Malang, East Java, had been exploited by certain parties to destroy Indonesia.

Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) researcher Vidhyandika Djati Perkasa said the government\'s approach in dealing with the Papua problem must shift from economic and welfare aspects to human rights and politics. A dialogue is needed to place Papua in the long narrative of Indonesia\'s history.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

A man signs the “East Java Loves Papua Declaration” on Jl. Darmo in Surabaya, East Java, Saturday (1/9/2019). The public declaration, which was initiated as a response to the Aug. 16-17 racial attacks on Papuan students in East Java and the mass protests the followed in Papua and West Papua, encourages the nation’s citizens to maintain kinship and unity. The second point of the declaration reads: “Papua is Indonesia”.

In terms of education, for example, young Papuans need to get adequate information about the history of the entry of Papua as part of Indonesia as well as its existence, which is inseparable from the long history of this nation.

(REK/ FLO/ FRN/ VDL