PAPUA'S SPECIAL GIFT ON INDONESIA'S INDEPENDENCE DAY by Fardah

 Jakarta, Aug 25, 2014 (Antara) - On August 16, 2014, about 700 former members of the outlawed separatist group Free Papua Movement (OPM) surrendered and declared their willingness to embrace the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) as their nation.

       The Kaswari group from South Manokwari, the largest part of OPM, surrendered their weapons a day before Indonesia's Independence Day to Major General Christian Zebua, Chief of the Cenderawasih XVII Military Command overseeing Papua and West Papua provinces, in Sumuruk kampong, Ransiki subdistrict, Manokwari District, West Papua Province.

        "We wish to enjoy the development within the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, which celebrates its 69th Independence. We ask the Indonesian government to provide us with facilities such as proper housing, clean water supply, and economic welfare and prosperity for about 700 former members of OPM Kaswari, Manokwari," Yance Mandacan, spokesman of the group, said.

         Welcoming the former OPM members, Major General Christian Zebua said their surrender was an Independence Day gift.

         He urged the remaining OPM members in Papua and West Papua provinces to embrace the nation and join the national development activities for their prosperity and welfare.

         Earlier on August 13, Nicholas Jouwe, one of OPM founders, had received a medal of honor from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace in Jakarta. He was one of the 55 prominent figures who had received medals of honor for their meritorious services to the nation in various fields.

         Nicholas Jouwe, who had returned to the country's folds, was the creator of separatist OPM flag, the Morning Star.

         He was not the only former OPM member who had received the medal, as there were also Nicholas Simion Messet and Frans Albert Yoku, who are presently campaigning for peace and reconciliation in Papua under the NKRI.

         Nicholas Jouwe reiterated that Papua was an integral part of Indonesia and along with other regions was conducting development efforts to improve the welfare of the people.

         "Papua will advance along with Indonesia. We are one and the world will see it," he affirmed.

         Papua and West Papua provinces are relatively prone to security disturbances due to some armed separatists who often shoot security officers and civilians at random.

         The Cenderawasih Regional Military Command XVII of Papua had seized 12 organic weapons from 44 guns collected through security inspection since early 2014 in the province.

         The Indonesian military has also seized 1,522 ammunitions and several documents related to OPM.

          Papua's police had recently prevented an attempt to smuggle in 13 weapons to Merauke and Timika. The weapons were discovered in a warehouse following their shipment via cargo service of a local airways, First Inspector Jubelina Wally of the Sentani air patrol police said recently.

         The arms included six units of Jericho 941, a revolver, a G26, APS Caribe, and a WG long-range pistol. The policewoman said the whereabouts of the persons who had tried to sneak in the weapons was not known yet. "Investigation is still underway," she added.

        Lanny Jaya District, Papua Province, has been lately particularly prone to security disturbances. At least 30 people, mostly police officers and several civilians, had been killed by gunmen in the Lanny Jaya District of Papua, so far.

         On July 28, 2014, two police officers were killed and two others wounded, while they were visiting villagers in a community counseling program in Lanny Jaya. They were attacked while conducting the activity.

         Meanwhile, five members of OPM were reportedly killed in a shootout in Lanny Jaya, on August 1, 2014, stated Maj. Gen. Christian Zebua.

        "Yes, five OPM members were killed in a shootout at 11 a.m. in Lanny Jaya District. Two soldiers have suffered minor injuries," Christian noted.

         The outlawed armed groups in Lanny Jaya were in possession of 19 guns, Deputy Chief of the Papua Police Brigadier General Paulus Waterpauw stated recently.

         The guns were used during ambushes against military and police officers in Lanny Jaya and Puncak Jaya, he added.

         Earlier, the Indonesian Human Rights Monitor (Imparsial) had expressed hope that the armed group, whose attack had led to the death of two policemen in Lanny Jaya District, Papua, in July, will be arrested soon.

         "We deplore the repetition of a shooting incident that has killed two police personnel in Lanny Jaya. We hope the police will soon arrest the shooters and take them to the court," Executive Director of Imparsial for Jakarta Poengky Indarti said in an electronic message to Antara.

          Indarti expressed hope that the same incident will not be repeated. "It should not happen again, otherwise civilians and apparatuses will fall victims," she said.

        Regional leaders must help police apparatuses for negotiations and create calmness for the public, Indarti stressed.

         "Security matters are not merely responsibility of the police but also of district heads and governor," she added.

          The Papua Regional Police is expected to sharpen its intelligence capacity to carry out early detection in the future, the Imparsial executive director stated.

          "The Papua Regional Police must coordinate well with intelligence officials in the fields," she stressed.

         Meanwhile, Chairman of the Religions Working Group of the Papuan People Council (MRP) Samuel K Waromi has expressed concern over violent incidents, especially in Lanny Jaya and Puncak Jaya.

        "We are very worried. Violence is still continuing in the Central Papua Hill region," he noted recently.

         He stated that MRP through its religions working group could assist in the effort, but so far MRP lacked the necessary funds for the journey to Lanny Jaya.

        "We have no money, but as a cultural institution we have to be on the field to listen to what people need and find solutions to their issues," he said. 
    The violent clashes between TNI (army)/Police and armed civilian group or OPM members in Lanny Jaya, Samuel said, should not have happened if all sides had exercised restraint and cooperated to find solutions.

        "Religion does not condone violence of any kind. So, problems must be settled elegantly," Samuel, who is also chairman of the Synod of the Indonesia Bethel Church Association, added.***1***
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