Addressing the Papua issue: A doctor's view

Addressing the Papua issue: A doctor's view

By Jozep Lukman Ojong

TEMBAGAPURA (JP): Many Indonesians fear that Irian Jaya, now
known as Papua by many people, could in the near future separate
from Indonesia.

The oft cited questions are: How could a separatist movement
gain popularity in Papua? Why haven't the Papuans shown an
interest in Indonesia's offer of autonomy? Will greater attention
from Jakarta dampen desire for independence? Is all this too
late?

These problems may not have cropped up if Indonesia had made
an effort to get to know the Papuans when they became part of the
Republic of Indonesia in 1962.

Freedom of speech has been muzzled by a repressive government;
in talking with outsiders, Papuans hardly dare to tell the truth.

Many of them harbor a desire for vengeance, feeling they have
been neglected and marginalized. They have long kept to
themselves these feelings of being repressed, being cheated out
of promises and being belittled by Indonesians.

This has led to gaping wounds which cannot be healed easily.
Whatever is done for them or promised them will not easily erase
their bitter experiences. With Papuans, one should make sure a
promise can be kept -- or it should not be made at all.

To Indonesians, Papuan culture may be considered uncivilized,
primitive. The values they are taught actually are noble, placing
the priority on human values and honesty.

They want acknowledgement of their identity as part of the
Melanesian race and for their Melanesian culture to be accepted
and preserved as part of Indonesia's diversity.

Instead, centralization has led to Javanese culture coloring
all aspects of life where possible. In annual commemorations of
the heroine Kartini, known for her struggle for the rights of
women, Papuan women are made to don the Javanese kebaya.

To many in Jakarta and Java, Irian Jaya is associated with a
remote, primitive and backward region, where cannibalism is still
practiced. There are not enough books in Indonesia -- let alone a
center for the study of Papuan culture -- to allow Indonesians to
study the anthropology and history of Papua. Instead, foreigners
tend to be more knowledgeable regarding Papua's culture, history,
flora, fauna and geography.

Few Indonesians are interested in being stationed in Papua,
and those who do are considered fools. Being stationed in Irian
Jaya is considered "exile", as it was during colonial times.

For years, assigning officials and employees to Papua has
indeed been one form of punishment.

For some officials, Papua is a place where they can make
little money. Those stationed there count the days until they can
leave. Another typical reaction is making the best of their time
in Irian Jaya -- for their own gain.

Some Papuans recall the "good old days" under the Dutch
colonial rule, because the Dutch developed the land and educated
the people, and are seen as having refrained from exploitation.

Indonesians, on the other hand, took virtually everything from
Irian Jaya: iron pipes, old VW automobiles and rare fauna like
birds of paradise and eagles. Indonesians, especially those in
the military, are therefore viewed as robbers who view weapons as
law.

Many female Papuans reportedly have been raped under the
threat of weapons by Indonesian soldiers; while those that try to
protest face being accused of being a rebel or member of the Free
Papua Movement (OPM).

Indonesian officials in Irian Jaya proudly say they believe
they know what is best for the Papuans, and tend to have a very
low opinion of the locals -- despite the fact that they rarely
mingle with them.

Their short stints in Irian Jaya are made even shorter by
their frequent trips to Jakarta. Their view is that what is good
for them must also be good for the Papuans. Decisions rely
heavily on political considerations of what will benefit the
power-holders in Jakarta, rather than on providing justice for
Papuans.

Many jobs have gone to Indonesians under the pretext that the
Papuans lack the necessary skills. In fact, no serious attempts
have been made to educate the locals.

Elementary and secondary school diplomas are virtually given
away merely to please the students, without the slightest care
whether the graduates can actually compete with migrants in the
job market.

Once Indonesians have successfully climbed the career ladder
in Papua, they move to Java; Papua is only a stepping-stone.

If Papuans could speak their minds, they would say they have
more respect for the Dutch and the missionaries.

Dutch officials showed great dedication and took pleasure in
serving the community. They were small in number but were well-
qualified. The Papuans say they were allowed to maintain their
self-identity in terms of culture and customs.

There was no twisting of the truth, and no unequal treatment
on the basis of ethnicity or rank. In the days of the Dutch, the
Papuans say, corruption, collusion and nepotism did not have
fertile ground to grow. Under the Dutch, more Papuans had jobs
and businesses and more were landlords in the cities.

Is it too late to correct the current situation, and the
perception that the only solution is separation from the
Republic?

If there is still time, mistakes should, of course, be set
right. Authorities should listen to the people and get closer to
them to understand what the grass roots, not the elite, want.

Whoever is stationed in Irian Jaya should have prior knowledge
of the language and culture -- and only good and dedicated people
should be considered for posting here.

There should be equal opportunities for training and
empowerment. Positions should be based on merit, to ensure that
those in high places are Papuans who are dedicated to building
their society, not those seeking personal gain.

Educational and vocational programs should be designed to
enhance not only academic abilities, but also the talents of
locals to ensure they get jobs, with a focus on the quality of
graduates of elementary and secondary schools.

Customary institutions must be revived. Papuan culture,
language and customs must be allowed sufficient breathing space,
to ensure that Papuans believe they have their own identity and
can get along with other ethnic groups -- without the feeling of
being subjugated by Indonesia.

The writer is a medical doctor who has worked throughout Irian
Jaya for 17 years.