Handle Papua with care<\/p>\n
Sometimes people must be handled like glassware: with extreme
\ncare and certainly not upside down. The people from Papua or
\nIrian Jaya, are extremely sensitive as they believe they have
\nreceived less than they deserve in the form of welfare in view of
\nthe natural resources at their disposal, like gold and other
\nminerals.<\/p>\n
A group of people from that province, including intellectuals
\nand tribal chiefs got together and declared themselves free from
\nthe Republic of Indonesia. They even asserted, they have never
\nbelonged to any part of Indonesia since 1961. It was under the
\nauspices of the United Nations that the former Dutch colony
\njoined the republic and adopted the Indonesian flag and language.<\/p>\n
In recent years, however, their patriotic sentiments have
\ngrown stronger, and like other provinces in turmoil, they now
\ndemand an independent Papua with their own flag. They also have
\nurged for a referendum to be held in that province.<\/p>\n
The movement is considered illegal and unconstitutional by the
\ncentral government in Jakarta and by the People's Consultative
\nAssembly, as such would endanger the unity of the republic.
\nStrong measures will be taken by the military if they continue to
\npress for independence.<\/p>\n
It is unfortunate that President Abdurrahman Wahid once
\nindirectly lauded the initiative of the people of Papua to have
\ntheir own personality and develop their own culture, even their
\nown flag but not in the form of a free nation independent from
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
It is unfortunate, indeed, that a confrontation with war-like
\nrhetoric is developing between the Papuan people's movement and
\nthe central authorities, people are blaming Abdurrahman for the
\nsituation.<\/p>\n
Yet, there is no need for the central authorities to impress
\nthe Papuans with saber-rattling. Many Papuans feel they are
\nunfairly treated, denied equal opportunities and feel the time
\nhas come to rebel with or without foreign assistance. Lessons we
\nhave learned from Aceh, former East Timor, and other provinces,
\ncalls for self-restraint. Handle boiling water with care. Use
\nforce only to beat dogs.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/handle-papua-with-care-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }