Let Irian Jaya have its anthem, flag: Observers
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)