Papuan Indonesian or Indonesian Papuan?

The article Papuan Indonesian or Indonesian Papuan is about ethnic identity and citizenship in Indonesia. In the last five years, since the creation of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), the provocative splitting campaigns like Melanesian is not Indonesian and Papuan is not Indonesian is increased.

The fact that Melanesian is also live in eastern part of Indonesia is ignored by separatist supporters. The intention of Free West Papua is very simple, to create ethnic solidarity by hatred against other ethnic group. Unfortunately, Indonesian ultranationalist couldn’t see the trap of Free West Papua: “the increased tension between different ethnic groups is the key of communal conflict. Huge communal conflict is the element of surprise for inciting repression by Indonesian security. At the end of the scenario, West Papua Separatists want to be seen as single enemy by stigmatisation of rebels against Indonesia and Indonesian government is seen as evil human rights abuser.

In the past, Indonesia was a naive state that believe in idealism of justice and expecting the people and the world let Indonesia live peacefully. Whenever problems arise, the most obvious respond is blaming the other without introspection of possible mistake from within the government. Now, despite years of hard efforts to reform the government and the introduction of fair and accountable socio-political system in all regions, Indonesia must face challenges from those who have evil agenda like terrorists, separatists, communists, and anarchists.

Some foreigners in the US, UK, Australia, Pacific Islands, and Africa do not fully understand the intention of West Papua separatists to split the society in Papua and West Papua. The racial identity campaign of “Melanesian not Indonesian” is very dangerous because it will disturb the coexistence of the heterogeneous population in Papua and West Papua.

Finally, my main message is that Papuan should be proud as Papuan and as Indonesian. Please use the following narrative to fight separatist narratives:

“I am Papuan, but I have associated my Papuan identity with my Indonesian citizenship. I can see myself first as Indonesian then as Papuan. I can also see myself as PapuanI then as Indonesian. So Papuan Indonesian or Indonesian Papuan doesn’t matter. Melanesian who live in Indonesia are Melanesian Indonesian or Indonesian Melanesian. The most important thing is that I live in Indonesia where there are many different ethnic groups live peacefully without discrimination and racism. Please not to forget that separatism is the main source of the continues problem in Papua and West Papua”.

Stop Separatism !!!