Frustration in Irian Jaya

Frustration in Irian Jaya

From Merdeka

I was not surprised to learn about the riot that broke out in Irian Jaya on March 18. I know the type of life the people there have as I lived in Jayapura (formerly Soekarnopura) from 1964 to 1965.

Then the population of Jayapura was small. In 1965, however, dozens of Irianese took to the street to protest their unfair treatment by the central government. The Irianese were full of anti-outsider sentiment. But this time they demonstrated in the wake of the death of Dr. Thomas Wanggai, a separatist movement leader who wanted to establish an independent West Irian state.

It is a fact that many parents in Irian Jaya are too poor to send their children to school. Prices of daily commodities like clothing, food and kerosene are higher there than in Jakarta. The recent riot was a logical consequence of the government's failure to cope with the people's needs. Irian Jaya has been exploited but the government has not shared the results with the locals. There will be no prosperity for the Irianese people without social justice.

The government must take control of the situation and restore order and security, especially in the case of the 11 hostages who still remain in the hands of their captors.

H.G. MALIKMASS

Jakarta