Morning Star in Irian Jaya
Morning Star in Irian Jaya
From Media Indonesia
The Papuan People's Congress resulting in the Papuan Council Presidium under Theys FH Eluay's leadership seems to have added a large problem to the integrity and unity of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia. The republic is being threatened by national disintegration, economic and political ruin and severe moral hazards. Meanwhile the political elite and economic experts only quarrel and criticize each other, far away from the people's hopes for a peaceful and prosperous life.
These important, basic and as yet overcome problems are worsened by the threats coming from East Indonesia, especially the hoisting of the Morning Star Flag in Papua, which is legally still called Irian Jaya (West Irian, under Law No. 12/1969).
If the Morning Star flag was a political party's flag, it would not matter. But it is closely related to the goal of the Papuan People's Congress, which resulted in a wish to separate from the republic of Indonesia.
In article 35 of the 1945 Constitution it is clearly stipulated that the flag of the state of Indonesia is the Red and White. So, the Morning Star flag hoisted together with the Red- and-White flag raises a question: Are Papuans still Indonesians? This is not a simple issue, because if Papua can hoist its own flag alongside the Red and White flag, can other provinces do the same thing ?
President Abdurrahman Wahid's statement that the hoisting of the Morning Star flag together with the Red and White flag is unremarkable and need not be questioned is to be much regretted.
The problem in Irian Jaya is in fact the result of one of the New Order regime's fatal mistakes: denying justice and welfare for the people living in Irian Jaya, who have never been able to enjoy the region's abundant natural resources.
To overcome these problems, I sincerely hope that specific autonomy be materialized as soon as possible according to the stipulation of the People 's Consultative Assembly No. IV/MPR/1999 on the Outlines of State Policy for Irian Jaya.
H.A. KARIM JAMAL
Jakarta