Addressing the Papua issue: A doctor's view<\/p>\n
By Jozep Lukman Ojong<\/p>\n
TEMBAGAPURA (JP): Many Indonesians fear that Irian Jaya, now
\nknown as Papua by many people, could in the near future separate
\nfrom Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The oft cited questions are: How could a separatist movement
\ngain popularity in Papua? Why haven't the Papuans shown an
\ninterest in Indonesia's offer of autonomy? Will greater attention
\nfrom Jakarta dampen desire for independence? Is all this too
\nlate?<\/p>\n
These problems may not have cropped up if Indonesia had made
\nan effort to get to know the Papuans when they became part of the
\nRepublic of Indonesia in 1962.<\/p>\n
Freedom of speech has been muzzled by a repressive government;
\nin talking with outsiders, Papuans hardly dare to tell the truth.<\/p>\n
Many of them harbor a desire for vengeance, feeling they have
\nbeen neglected and marginalized. They have long kept to
\nthemselves these feelings of being repressed, being cheated out
\nof promises and being belittled by Indonesians.<\/p>\n
This has led to gaping wounds which cannot be healed easily.
\nWhatever is done for them or promised them will not easily erase
\ntheir bitter experiences. With Papuans, one should make sure a
\npromise can be kept -- or it should not be made at all.<\/p>\n
To Indonesians, Papuan culture may be considered uncivilized,
\nprimitive. The values they are taught actually are noble, placing
\nthe priority on human values and honesty.<\/p>\n
They want acknowledgement of their identity as part of the
\nMelanesian race and for their Melanesian culture to be accepted
\nand preserved as part of Indonesia's diversity.<\/p>\n
Instead, centralization has led to Javanese culture coloring
\nall aspects of life where possible. In annual commemorations of
\nthe heroine Kartini, known for her struggle for the rights of
\nwomen, Papuan women are made to don the Javanese kebaya.<\/p>\n
To many in Jakarta and Java, Irian Jaya is associated with a
\nremote, primitive and backward region, where cannibalism is still
\npracticed. There are not enough books in Indonesia -- let alone a
\ncenter for the study of Papuan culture -- to allow Indonesians to
\nstudy the anthropology and history of Papua. Instead, foreigners
\ntend to be more knowledgeable regarding Papua's culture, history,
\nflora, fauna and geography.<\/p>\n
Few Indonesians are interested in being stationed in Papua,
\nand those who do are considered fools. Being stationed in Irian
\nJaya is considered "exile", as it was during colonial times.<\/p>\n
For years, assigning officials and employees to Papua has
\nindeed been one form of punishment.<\/p>\n
For some officials, Papua is a place where they can make
\nlittle money. Those stationed there count the days until they can
\nleave. Another typical reaction is making the best of their time
\nin Irian Jaya -- for their own gain.<\/p>\n
Some Papuans recall the "good old days" under the Dutch
\ncolonial rule, because the Dutch developed the land and educated
\nthe people, and are seen as having refrained from exploitation.<\/p>\n
Indonesians, on the other hand, took virtually everything from
\nIrian Jaya: iron pipes, old VW automobiles and rare fauna like
\nbirds of paradise and eagles. Indonesians, especially those in
\nthe military, are therefore viewed as robbers who view weapons as
\nlaw.<\/p>\n
Many female Papuans reportedly have been raped under the
\nthreat of weapons by Indonesian soldiers; while those that try to
\nprotest face being accused of being a rebel or member of the Free
\nPapua Movement (OPM).<\/p>\n
Indonesian officials in Irian Jaya proudly say they believe
\nthey know what is best for the Papuans, and tend to have a very
\nlow opinion of the locals -- despite the fact that they rarely
\nmingle with them.<\/p>\n
Their short stints in Irian Jaya are made even shorter by
\ntheir frequent trips to Jakarta. Their view is that what is good
\nfor them must also be good for the Papuans. Decisions rely
\nheavily on political considerations of what will benefit the
\npower-holders in Jakarta, rather than on providing justice for
\nPapuans.<\/p>\n
Many jobs have gone to Indonesians under the pretext that the
\nPapuans lack the necessary skills. In fact, no serious attempts
\nhave been made to educate the locals.<\/p>\n
Elementary and secondary school diplomas are virtually given
\naway merely to please the students, without the slightest care
\nwhether the graduates can actually compete with migrants in the
\njob market.<\/p>\n
Once Indonesians have successfully climbed the career ladder
\nin Papua, they move to Java; Papua is only a stepping-stone.<\/p>\n
If Papuans could speak their minds, they would say they have
\nmore respect for the Dutch and the missionaries.<\/p>\n
Dutch officials showed great dedication and took pleasure in
\nserving the community. They were small in number but were well-
\nqualified. The Papuans say they were allowed to maintain their
\nself-identity in terms of culture and customs.<\/p>\n
There was no twisting of the truth, and no unequal treatment
\non the basis of ethnicity or rank. In the days of the Dutch, the
\nPapuans say, corruption, collusion and nepotism did not have
\nfertile ground to grow. Under the Dutch, more Papuans had jobs
\nand businesses and more were landlords in the cities.<\/p>\n
Is it too late to correct the current situation, and the
\nperception that the only solution is separation from the
\nRepublic?<\/p>\n
If there is still time, mistakes should, of course, be set
\nright. Authorities should listen to the people and get closer to
\nthem to understand what the grass roots, not the elite, want.<\/p>\n
Whoever is stationed in Irian Jaya should have prior knowledge
\nof the language and culture -- and only good and dedicated people
\nshould be considered for posting here.<\/p>\n
There should be equal opportunities for training and
\nempowerment. Positions should be based on merit, to ensure that
\nthose in high places are Papuans who are dedicated to building
\ntheir society, not those seeking personal gain.<\/p>\n
Educational and vocational programs should be designed to
\nenhance not only academic abilities, but also the talents of
\nlocals to ensure they get jobs, with a focus on the quality of
\ngraduates of elementary and secondary schools.<\/p>\n
Customary institutions must be revived. Papuan culture,
\nlanguage and customs must be allowed sufficient breathing space,
\nto ensure that Papuans believe they have their own identity and
\ncan get along with other ethnic groups -- without the feeling of
\nbeing subjugated by Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The writer is a medical doctor who has worked throughout Irian
\nJaya for 17 years.<\/p>",
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