Papuans feel they are second-class citizens

Kornelius Purba Staff Writer The Jakarta Post

Last Saturday, President Megawati Soekarnoputri was forced to drop her promise to deliver what she seemed to think was the best possible Christmas present she could offer the predominantly Christian province of Irian Jaya, after being informed that her planned visit to the rebellious province would not be welcomed by the local people.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Gen. (ret.) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the President could not go to Jayapura to celebrate Christmas and hand over the newly- endorsed Law on Special Autonomy for Papua on Dec. 22, due to "heightened political tension" in the province.

According to Susilo, the decision was taken "following mounting rejection ... of the special autonomy status and demands for a serious probe of Theys' death."

He was referring, of course, to widespread anger over last month's killing of Papua Presidium Council (PDP) chairman Theys Hiyo Eluay. Theys was found dead in his car outside provincial capital Jayapura on Nov. 11, 2001 following a party hosted by Army's Special Force (Kopassus) in Jayapura the day before.

People have demanded an internationally led inquiry into his mysterious death because they do not believe the government can enforce the law -- even if those responsible for his death can be found.

Whatever the cause of Theys' fate, the government has unnecessarily created a "martyr" and a strong symbol for the passionate aspirations for independence among Papuans.

This is not the first time the Papuan people have rejected Megawati.

About 10,000 supporters of Free Papua Movement (OPM) rallied at Wamena Airport in Jayawijaya regency to express their hope for independence when, as vice president, Megawati arrived at the airport during her visit to the province in May of last year.

Papua has come to hold a special meaning for Megawati while, for many Papuans, her name reminds them of their bitter experience with her father, the founding father and first president Sukarno.

Megawati's first husband, Air Force First Lt. Surindo Supjarso, was killed when his plane crashed in Biak in 1970. And it was Sukarno who led Indonesia's struggle for the United Nations-sponsored integration of the territory into Indonesia in 1963.

The autonomy law itself was initiated by Megawati's predecessor, Abdurrahman Wahid and was later continued by Megawati following Abdurrahman's fall in July this year.

Learning from the tragic separation of East Timor from Indonesia in 1999, Abdurrahman and Megawati agreed to give more freedom for the Papuans to manage their own affairs, although Megawati is much more conservative in maintaining Papua as part of Indonesia.

But why are the Papuans are reluctant to receive her gift, the special autonomy law?

The law, at least from the central government's point of view, is very generous, because it ensures their rights for self- governance, although they are still part of Indonesia. Only in the fields of foreign affairs, external defense, monetary and appeal court, the central government is still in full command.

Under the new scheme, only indigenous Papuans can be elected as governor and vice governor, members of the Papua People's Assembly (MRP), and Papuan Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD).

In the area of internal security, both the local military and police fall under direct control of the governor.

The province is entitled to receive 70 percent of the accrued oil royalties, compared to 15 percent before adoption of the law, and also 70 percent of gas royalties, or a 40 percent hike. This means that next year's budget will increase 100 percent from the current Rp 3.5 trillion (about US$350 million).

Apart from national tributes, the province will also be allowed to have its own flag, symbol and anthem. The law is expected to help restore their dignity and end alleged discrimination -- not just by the government, but also by many Indonesians, against the "black, poor, and primitive" Papuans.

But why do the cool reaction to the extravagant law?

Do they think that they can follow the success of East Timorese people who were able to break from Indonesia in 1999? The annexation of East Timor was never recognized by the UN, while in Irian case, the world body sponsored the self- determination process.

The 425,000-square-kilometer region covers 21.99 percent of Indonesia's territory. However, its populace comprises less than one percent of the country's 210 million population.

The people are very diverse, some of them have just emerged from their stone-age civilization. No less than 250 languages are spoken there.

People living in Humbaldt Bay, for example, speak Tobadi, inhabitants around Yapen island use Amabai and Turu, while Mimika language is used around Mimika. Dani tribes in Baliem Valley use a different language from people in Arfak and residents of Yamur Lake speak Ekari and Kapauku.

Unlike other provinces in Indonesia, Muslims are the minority in Papua. About 58 percent of the people are Protestants, 24.09 percent Muslims and 17 percent Catholics.

The role of church is very strong there, while government officials and military officers are dominated by non-Papuans and Muslims. Lots of non-Papuan officials see their employment in the province more as punishment than anything else, and they prepare for their own future by abusing their power to enrich themselves.

Papuans often complain about human rights abuses by the military and police. Meanwhile, military leaders defended their actions as a part of national efforts to maintain political stability and to crack down any separatist movements.

Economic activities are controlled by outsiders, especially Buginese, Javanese and Chinese traders.

The Papuans feel they are treated as second-class citizens in their own land, forced to follow the culture, custom, philosophy, way of life and, in certain sense, the religion, of Javanese people (via the central government).

They also feel they are completely different from other Indonesians from their skin and ethnic origin.

For Papuans, the autonomy bill is only a trick to win their hearts while shifting their attention from their suffering before the resumption of colonialist practices against them.

They have lost their trust in the government. They just want to be allowed to live in peace.

Even the East Timorese, whose natural resources are much fewer, can build their own state. Why can't the Papuans do the same with their abundant natural resources?

The central government should try not just to understand, but think, act and behave as Papuans. They should end the old paternalistic belief that non-Papuans have an obligation to educate the Papuans to be civilized.

Sincerity is the key to dealing with the Papuans -- not candy and, certainly, not empty promises.