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.