Sat, 27 Apr 2002

Theys' murder

We heard a piece of good news when the National Investigation Commission (KPN) announced that it had identified the murderer of Papua Presidium Council leader, Theys Hiyo Eluay.

But we were a little worried that the KPN had only identified the executors of the killing but had failed to reveal the motive of the murder as well as the main actor behind it.

Theys' murder should not be left unresolved; according to Papuan leader Freddy Numberi, the international community is watching the government-sanctioned investigation. .

Everybody realizes that killing Theys is tantamount to killing the hopes of the Papuans.

Should the investigation result be disappointing, Papuans' disappointment might strengthen their resolve to separate from Indonesia. They are pinning their hopes on the KPN. Can the commission give a satisfactory answer?

-- Republika, Jakarta