Papuan people warned against celebrating independence

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.