Police ban independence celebration
Nethy Darma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura
The Papuan people will not likely get to commemorate their 41st annual self-proclaimed independence day on Sunday as the police have intensified security across the volatile province to prevent any celebrating on Dec. 1.
Papua Police Chief Maj. Gen. Budi Utomo stated on Saturday that there would be no celebrations at all, while the separatist Papuan Presidium Council (PDP) had stated earlier that they would not hold a flag-hoisting ceremony on the day.
"According to the consensus with PDP, people will likely go to churches they do every Sunday, but we will not tolerate any celebration," Budi told The Jakarta Post.
The decision was reached after the police held a meeting with PDP representatives, Thaha Al Hamid, Herman Awom and Willy Mandowen late on Friday.
Thaha said separately that PDP would still celebrate its Papuan independence, but in a very modest way, not by hoisting its Morning Star flag.
Papua declared independence on Dec. 1, 1961 from its Dutch rulers, and therefore demands that the Indonesian government recognize it.
The Indonesian government, which officially gained control of the then western part of Papua New Guinea island in 1969 through a United Nations (UN)-sponsored vote, refuses to allow the separation of the province from Indonesia.
Budi emphasized that the police were ready to anticipate any possible security disturbance and would crack down against those trying to celebrate on the day.
"Should there be an attempt to hoist the Morning Star flag, the police will take stern action," the police official said.
The Papuans hoisted the Morning Star during low-key independence celebrations on Dec. 1 over the past three years, after the end of authoritarian rule by former president Soeharto.
However, the commemoration was toned down last year after the separatist movement leader Theys Hiyo Eluay was killed on Nov. 11.
President Megawati Soekarnoputri has earlier expressed that she will not hesitate to take tough measures against activities related to the independence celebration.
Papuan governor J. P. Salossa urged the people to maintain security in the province and not to be engaged in independence celebration.
"Let us declare Dec. 1 as a day of peace for the Papuan people... we have to practice self-restraint and avoid provocation that could hurt ourselves," he said.
He added that Dec. 1 falls on Sunday when Christians, the majority of Papuans, should go to church and not be involved in other provocative activities.
The governor emphasized that the police and military had prepared themselves across the province.
The Morning Star flag flying at the grave of Theys in Sentani, which had been there ever since the separatist leader was buried, was taken down on Saturday by the Sentani police.
Papuan police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Daud Sihombing said that the police confiscated the flag along with other items at the site.
"There was no protest at all from the local people when the police took down the flag," Daud said.
Despite his claim, the Associated Press reported that around 500 people staged a rally in Sentani, the hometown of Theys, and insisted that they would hold a flag-hoisting ceremony on Sunday.
"We may still fly the flag. There is still a possibility," said Laurenz Mayhue, a separatist leader.