Hero's procession for Theys' body
Hero's procession for Theys' body
R.K. Nugroho & Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura/Makassar
Thousands of people, including many university students, on
Tuesday accompanied the ambulance which was carrying the body of
Theys Hiyo Eluay from the provincial legislative council building
in Jayapura to his residence in Sentani.
Hundreds of motorcycles were seen escorting the vehicle
carrying the body of the Papuan Presidium Council (PDP) chairman.
A large number of people also followed the procession on foot to
Sentani, which is nearly 45 kilometers away.
It was the type of procession normally reserved for heroes as
the car carrying Theys' body was partially covered with the Free
Papuan "Morning Star" flag and the people shouted "Free Papua" as
they made their way along the route.
A large number of mourners lined the streets as well to offer
condolences and shout slogans with the crowd. Many of them burst
into tears as the procession passed them.
Jayapura was in a state of mourning as well on Tuesday. All
schools and shops were closed and many people left their offices
early.
Elderly citizens said that Theys was very popular among
younger generation, including students, in Jayapura, Sentani and
its surrounding areas.
On Monday, the crowd carried Theys' body to the legislative
building and demanded that the legislators set up an independent
team to investigate the death of their hero.
John Tibo, the deputy speaker of the legislative council,
promised to urge the police to investigate Theys' death
thoroughly. John also promised the group on Monday that he would
arrange a meeting with legislators to discuss Theys' death on
Tuesday. But such a meeting did not materialize.
Theys, the 63-year-old pro-independence leader was found dead
in his Toyota Kijang on Sunday morning at Muara Tami, a district
west of Jayapura. His driver Ari Masoka is still missing. Theys
had been reportedly kidnapped by a group of people while on his
way home from attending a dinner party at the Kopassus base in
Hamadi on Saturday evening.
As of Tuesday evening, there still had been no decision as to
where, when and how Theys' body would be memorialized. A relative
said that a meeting among family members, tribal leaders and the
Papuan Presidium Council would be held to decide the details of
the service.
The nuances of Theys' death, however, remain shrouded in some
mystery.
Initial reports from police and pro-independence people
assumed that he had been murdered.
However, a team of doctors who examined his body announced on
Monday that Theys was not strangled as police originally
suspected. Dr. Kelemen Mayakori, the leader of the team of
doctors at Jayapura General Hospital said that Theys seemed to
die from a lethal lack of oxygen, but ruled out strangulation as
the cause of death as there were no bruises on the neck. Kelemen
also announced that the body had some injuries about the nose and
mouth as well as his hands, but was not able to determine with
certainty how those injuries were inflicted.
The announcement came as somewhat of a surprise to many who
had earlier been convinced that he was murdered.
Jayapura City Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Daud Sihombing said
in a morning interview with Jakarta-based El-Shinta Radio on
Tuesday morning that some of Theys' internal organs would be sent
elsewhere for further examination.
Irian Jaya Police detective chief Sr. Comr. Gde Kusuma said
police were waiting for the results of the examination from
Makassar.
The fact was not revealed even by Dr. Kelemen and his team in
Jayapura.
Dr. Mahmud, a pathologist at Hasanuddin University said later
in Makassar on Tuesday that, "Theys' heart was sent to the
University of Indonesia's Forensic Laboratory."
National Police deputy spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Prasetyo said
in Jakarta on Tuesday that he had not yet been informed about the
ongoing post-mortem examination.
"I have yet to receive all of the information. Just ask Irian
Jaya (Papua) Police chief. He is the one in charge of the
investigation," he said in a telephone interview.