News coming out of Wamena is saddening. Thousands have registered to be airlifted to Jayapura.
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·3 minutes read
News coming out of Wamena is saddening. Thousands have registered to be airlifted to Jayapura. Some people have no relatives in the area and are staying at shelters.
These people, who mostly come from other regions, such as West Sumatra, chose to move to Wamena to make a living there. They opened businesses and embarked on a peaceful life. What was to be feared after all, they were still within the territory of the Republic of Indonesia, a shared home that is supposed to provide peace and protection to its people.
Their dreams were shattered when a demonstration broke out on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019, which ended in rioting. Not only houses and public facilities were set on fire, but private and government vehicles, shop-houses and businesses also fell victim to the rioting, which was said to have been triggered by racist remarks, but no evidence of this has been found.
Wamena, located in the central mountains of Jayawijaya regency, Papua province, is one of several big and well-known towns in Papua. Given its growing economic prospects, a number of people from various ethnic backgrounds moved there to try their luck, something we appreciate in the context of developing a sense of nationhood.
So it was a huge tragedy when riots broke out on Monday last week. From the findings of its investigation, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) revealed that humanitarian crimes occurred during the riots in Wamena (Kompas, 28/9/2019). Civilians, humanitarian workers, such as doctors, and children were assaulted, injured and died.
It is very alarming indeed. President Joko Widodo has emphasized that the rioting in Wamena should not be viewed as an ethnic conflict. Reports said armed criminal groups took part in the riots.
While thousands of people wait to be transported by Air Force Hercules aircraft to Jayapura, we can imagine, on one side, people having to bid farewell to Wamena and, on the other side, the conditions of those displaced and facing limitations and the uncertainty of tomorrow.
It is imperative that policies on the reconstruction of public facilities, markets and shops be made for economic recovery, and the restoration of peace and order
We appreciate the Air Force for opening its Megantara multipurpose building in Jayapura as a shelter for the displaced, as well as the 1702 Military District Command (Kodim) and the Jayawijaya Police for providing shelter to those in need, as well as a number of churches. However, goodwill on the part of the central government for further handling and policy is awaited. It is imperative that policies on the reconstruction of public facilities, markets and shops be made for economic recovery, and the restoration of peace and order.
The rioting in Wamena indicate that infrastructure and economic development have not been enough to create peace in Papua. President Joko Widodo\'s trip to Wamena and other cities in Papua has not yet succeeded in winning the hearts and minds of the Papuan people. This means that other things need to be addressed by Jakarta.