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.