Theys murder may not galvanize independence groups: Experts

Theys murder may not galvanize independence groups: Experts

Abu Hanifah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A legislator from Irian Jaya expressed regret over the murder of
Irian Jaya independence leader Theys Hiyo Eluay on Sunday, but
doubted if his death would have a significant impact on
independence movement in the troubled province.

"Theys has no support from the people at the grassroots level
because of differences in perception on independence," legislator
Paulus Baut of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

Most Irianese understand independence as free from central
government pressure and free to exploit natural resources, while
Theys and his group conceive independence as secession from the
Unitary State of Indonesia, he said.

Paulus, who worked as a human rights activist in Irian Jaya
until he was elected DPR member in 1999, said many independence
leaders considered Theys an opportunist who exploited the
people's cause for personal gain.

"It is not impossible that Theys was murdered by independence
activists who feel that he was exploiting their cause," he said.

Nevertheless, Paulus urged security personnel to deal with the
expected protests with patience and persuasion to avoid more
deaths among locals.

"With emotions running high, Theys' death can easily be
exploited by anti-autonomy groups to advance their cause," he
warned.

Eluay, a tribal elder and politician, was a member of the
local legislative assembly (DPRD) for 15 years, but changed his
political colors and became an independence leader after he
failed to be reelected to the council in the 1980s.

The 64 year-old secessionist figure was found dead in his car
on Sunday after reportedly being kidnapped late on Saturday
shortly after attending a function to commemorate National Heroes
Day in the provincial capital Jayapura.

Analyst Hermawan Sulistyo of the Indonesian Institute of
Sciences (LIPI) concurred with Paulus, saying Theys' death will
not necessarily galvanize the secessionists.

"The idea to revolt and secede from Indonesia because of
Theys' death will not gain massive support from Irianese because
of the presence of pro-autonomy factions in the Papuan Presidium
Council" (PDP) that he led, Hermawan said.

"Instead of pushing forward with the secessionist movement,
the leaders in the PDP will fight for the position left by
Theys," he said.

According to Hermawan, there is no appropriate figure within
the PDP that could replace Theys, who was considered to be a
unifying leader in the independence movement.

"Hardliner camps are likely to get the post as they can easily
manipulate the emotions of Irianese over Theys' tragic death,"
Hermawan said.

Meanwhile, human rights campaigner Hendardi of the Indonesia
Human Rights and Legal Aid Association (PBHI) told the Post on
Sunday that They's murder was politically motivated and is
related to his campaign for an independent Irian Jaya.

"The police must investigate the case thoroughly. If they do
not, it would give the impression that Theys' murder was designed
as shock therapy for those who have different political stances
from the government," Hendardi said.

He added that Theys' political role had already attracted the
attention of the international community and "if the authorities
do not investigate his murder thoroughly, the international
community would question our sincerity and credibility."

Military spokesman Air Vice Marshall Graito Usodo told the
Post on Sunday that Indonesia's Armed Forces (TNI) would leave it
to the police to handle possible protests and would lend support
only if needed.

"Our position is clear. We will fully back the police if they
need our support," he said.

He also denied speculation that the military was involved in
the abduction and killing of Theys.

"As a military institution, we will never use such methods,"
he asserted.