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