Papuan people warned against celebrating independence
Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura
Police personnel will not hesitate to arrest any parties who attempt to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the proclamation of the West Melanesian State, a top police officer in Papua warned on Monday. The anniversary celebration falls on Dec. 14.
"The anniversary celebration is unlawful and parties who commemorate it will be severely punished," said chief of Papua provincial police Insp. Gen. Dodi Sumatyawan.
Dodi issued the statement after attending the inauguration of the speaker and deputy speakers of the Papuan provincial council.
Earlier, Papua police had taken stern measures against Papuans celebrating the anniversary of Papua Independence Day on Dec. 1.
Police have arrested two Papuans believed to have led the flag raising ceremony in Trikora Field, Abepura, Jayapura on that day. The two -- Philep Karma and Yusak Pakage -- are being questioned by Papua police. They are charged with committing treason and disturbing public order.
Similarly, police also arrested two separatist leaders, Herman Wanggai and Edison Waromi, who led the commemoration of the West Melanesia State's 14th anniversary at the Cenderawasih University campus two years ago. They were both convicted for treason and sentenced to two years in jail.
Dec. 14 was declared the anniversary of West Melanesia after West Melanesia leader Thom Wanggai proclaimed the independence of the West Melanesian people on Dec. 14, 1988 in Mandala Field, Jayapura.
Herman Wanggai, the follower of Thom Wanggai, argued that the West Melanesian struggle for independence is justified. Based on the Rome agreement, Indonesia was given a mandate by the Netherlands to prepare Papua for independence after the latter were forced out of the province in 1963. But, from the time the agreement was signed on May 1, 1963, Indonesia has never had any intention of setting Papuans free, said Herman.
Knowing that the Rome agreement will never be implemented, Thom Wanggai proclaimed Papua independent on Dec. 14, 1988, said Herman. Thom was found dead while serving a jail sentence in a Jakarta prison in 1996.
Thom apparently has a significant following in Papua. His death was not accepted quietly, with his funeral stirring chaos in Jayapura. Papuans in Jayapura were very angry after military and police personnel banned Papuans from parading the remains of Thom from Sentani Airport to a cemetery in Jayapura, where Thom's remains were set to be buried.
The angry masses burned down markets and houses along Jayapura's main thoroughfares, and set some cars ablaze.