Let Irian Jaya have its anthem, flag: Observers

JAKARTA (JP): Human rights activist Asmara Nababan and political observer Andi Mallarangeng propose that Irian Jaya be allowed to have its own flag and anthem as part of its special autonomy.

They said in a seminar here on Monday that the flag and anthem would show the central government's respect of Papuan (Irian) culture -- something that has been lacking. The omission has been a cause of Irianese discontent with Jakarta.

The bill on special autonomy for Irian Jaya is currently under deliberation at the House of Representatives.

"There would be nothing wrong if the Papuans have their own anthem, flag and constitution as long as the province remains an integral part of Indonesia.

"The main cause of the continuing insurgency in Papua is really that the government has looked down on Papuans as though they were backward and primitive, as Australia treated the Aborigines," Nababan said.

So far, the government and the House have refused to include Irian cultural identity, such as a flag and anthem, in the draft autonomy law on the grounds that it would be against the principle of a unitary state.

The bill, drafted with input from Papuan leaders, already stipulates that Papua should have its own flag and anthem as symbols of its cultural identity.

Special autonomy status has been granted to restive Aceh province, which obtained syariah (Islamic law) in recognition of its strong Islamic tradition.

The inclusion has met resistance from the Military, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the United Development Party (PPP) and the National Mandate Party (PAN).

Nababan said the government should abandon its erroneous perception of the Papuan people, to help solve the conflict and speed up social, economic and political development in the province.

Mallarangeng said the proposed insertion of symbols of Papuan cultural identity into the bill should not be seen as a threat to national unity.

"The Papuan flag, anthem and other symbols are matters of cultural pride and should not be seen as a threat to national unity because full authority in defense and security remains with central government," he said, adding that each state within the United States had its own flag.

Sri Sumantri, a professor of constitutional law at Padjadjaran University in Bandung, backs the notion that the proposed inclusion of Papuan cultural identity into the bill is against the principle of the unitary state and could establish a bad precedent for other provinces.

"Other provinces have been allowed to use their own local identity such as anthems, flags and symbols, but they have not been enshrined in law," he argued.

He said North Sulawesi and Bali were also giving consideration to seeking special autonomy status in their attempt to gain recognition of their cultural uniqueness. (rms)