Papua rebel leader flies flag in jail

Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post/Jayapura

Although he spends his days and nights in a cramed prison cell, the spirit to fight for Papua's independence still burns brightly in the heart of convicted rebel, Filep Karma.

Disregarding the severe consequences, Filep proudly hoisted the Morning Star flag on the prison's roof in Jayapura on Thursday as hundreds of Papua independence supporters held street rallies to commemorate the independence of Papua on Dec. 1.

The supporters themselves were prevented from displaying the outlawed flag at Trikora field in town, as their attempts were successfully scuttled by the Indonesian Police.

"I am being kept in jail, but it does not dampen my spirit to fight for Papua's independence," Filep told The Jakarta Post. Filep, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison earlier this year for committing state treason, said he was willing to bear any consequences for his act.

He refused, however, to reveal who secreted the flag to him.

Filep climbed a building in the prison compound on Thursday afternoon and waved the Morning Star from the roof while shouting "Papua Freedom!"

Chief of security at Abepura prison, Korneles Rumbairusi, said he had no idea how Filep was able to climb the prison building and wave the flag, the symbol of Papuan independence. He had no idea either as to how the flag was smuggled into the prison.

Responding to the incident, chief of Jayapura police Adj. Sr. Comr. Paulus Waterpauw said police were still investigating six security guards and a woman convict who saw Filep waving the flag. "This stunt could very well get him a fat sentence extension," Waterpauw asserted.

Filep was arrested last year for leading a ceremony commemorating Papua independence on Dec. 1. He led a flag- hoisting ceremony in Trikora field in Jayapura town, which ended with a clash between Papuan independence supporters and Indonesian Police. Besides being jailed, Filep was also discharged from his position as a civil servant with the Papua administration.

Dec. 1 was declared Papuan independence day by separatists who proclaimed the state of West Papua on Dec. 1, 1962.