West Papua separatist strategy: contrasting special autonomy and referendum

West Papua separatist strategy is a brief analysis of the latest discussion of West Papua issue. It highlights the rejection of special autonomy by some element of West Papua separatist.

Papua and West Papua’s separation from Indonesia is never an option. However, gaining more control over its future from Jakarta while remaining in the Republic of Indonesia is a preferred path forward for the provinces.

Sixteen small groups in Papua have voiced opposition over the potential continuation of its special autonomy (Otsus) status, with the transfer of Otsus funds from the central government set to end next year. Such political move is clearly a strategy to challenge the integrity of the state.

In reality, Papuan people need to tackle many problem in their life from poverty, health, social, economy and many other problems. They don’t care about separatist provocative narratives and government counter propaganda. Unfortunately, the people who live in Papua and West Papua provinces will always get the impact of separatist political campaign.

Contrasting special autonomy and referendum is not only very wrong, but also it will hamper the development progress in the region. It is the intention of separatist to sabotage the development to show it as a failure. This failure is politicized and framed within the context of blaming the government of Papua, West Papua and Indonesia.

If Papua and West Papua want to change the politics of the region, the only way is elections of local leaders and people’s representatives. West Papuan have to stop barking about referendum and start biting democracy to implemented substantially. One more time, referendum is not an option because it will only deepening he gap among the hundreds of different ethnic groups in the region. My personal view is that Papua and West Papua were treated very special not because of separatism, but because of the obligation of the state to develop their people in the best possible way.

Some small separatist groups shared separatist sentiment against peaceful development in Papua and West Papua.

Mintz mirrored his thoughts and said Quebec has done a good job advocating for itself and that Alberta should take note. He also said he is not in favour of separatism and that it should only be a valid proposal if Alberta’s back is “against the wall.”

I believe some people in the Western countries like United States, United Kingdom, and Australia get many different press reports about West Papua separation efforts. Most of the time, they only read the separatist’s version as a noble fight against colonialism. They never read how ordinary Papuan think about their future. How about the past? The modern West Papua history should be started from:

A former Dutch colony, West Papua was formally incorporated into Indonesia in 1969, after an undisputed vote of about 1,025 representative tribal leaders. The result of the plebiscite was overseen and endorsed by the United Nations.

Westerners who support Free West Papua Campaigns fall into the trap of West Papua separatist strategy.