Plurality and the unitary republic<\/p>\n
From Rakyat Merdeka<\/p>\n
Irian Jaya belongs to the entire Indonesian nation, and we
\nfeel it is important to retain it within the unitary state of the
\nRepublic of Indonesia (NKRI).<\/p>\n
The loyalty and desire of the Irianese to be one with the NKRI
\nis reflected by RCTI's polling in its various "Dialogue" program
\nheld on Dec. 27, 2000. Within half an hour, of 621 in-coming
\nphone calls, 71 percent didn't agree with Free Papua aspirations,
\nwhile only 26 percent did, and the rest (some three percent) were
\nindifferent.<\/p>\n
Regarding the civil emergency enforcement, 58 percent of all
\nthe phone calls didn't agree, 36 percent did, and the remaining
\nsix percent replied "don't know". Concerning the best solution
\nfor Irian Jaya, 74 percent chose regional autonomy, 15 percent
\nindependence and 11 percent referendum. It's intensely felt that
\nthe Indonesian people want Irian Jaya to remain part of the
\nIndonesian nation.<\/p>\n
The ethnic reasons used by some Irianese as a basis for
\nseparation claims from NKRI can't be fully accepted as an
\nadequate premise. Ethnic difference can't be made a reason for
\nseparating themselves from state territory, though it is only
\nnatural in a state whose population comprises of various ethnic
\ngroups. There are many examples where ethnic or racial difference
\ndoesn't trigger each ethnic group to separate themselves from the
\nterritories of their states, e.g. the U.S.A. and Russia.<\/p>\n
The result of the 1969 "Papera" in Irian Jaya which was then
\nstill called West Irian can't be made a platform for separation
\nfrom Indonesia. The placing of Irian Jaya into the Republic of
\nIndonesia took place on the basis of the agreement between the
\ngovernments of Indonesia and the Netherlands which was recognized
\nby the United Nations and the international world. Though there
\nis an argument that the background of their wish to be free is
\nbecause there is disrespect and different treatment of the
\nIrianese which results in their strange, uncomfortable feelings
\nin their own country, several lawyers claim that the attempt made
\nby the Papuan Council to separate themselves from the NKRI is a
\ncoup d'etat, which if left as it is, might trigger national
\ndisintegration.<\/p>\n
Territorially, the state is obliged to maintain the wholeness
\nof its territory to avoid dissension. The splitting of a state
\nterritory on the basis of political, ideological and ethnic
\ndifference may not be exerted. The government of a state reserves
\nthe right to safeguard the entirety of its territory and to
\nprevent it from any internal or external attempt to divide the
\nstate.<\/p>\n
So, if we can categorize the Papuan Council as a separatist
\ngroup aiming at a coup d'etat, then the government is wisely
\nhandling the aspirations of the Irianese. Hopefully, there will
\nbe no bloodshed and fighting, and most importantly, that Irian
\nJaya will remain Indonesian territory.<\/p>\n
SOPANDI ALI<\/p>\n
Tangerang, Banten<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/plurality-and-the-unitary-republic-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }