Tembagapura residents, Papua, declare against Free West Papua armed group

Tembagapura residents against separatism

Mimika – A number of Papuans issued a declaration against the armed criminal group (KKB). The declaration was held in Waa Banti Village, Utikini Baru, Tembagapura District, Mimika Regency, Papua.

“We strongly reject the armed criminal groups that will intrude into security in our village,” said Pastor Giman Magay at the venue, quoted by detik.com from the release of the Nemangkawi Task Force, Friday (2/4/2021).

Pastor Giman Magay also requested that the TNI-Polri continue to look after the people who have daily activities, such as gardening and gardening in the village area in Utikini to Banti 1 and Banti 2.

The declaration event with the theme ‘Rejection of Violence’ was attended by 150 residents, consisting of young leaders, tribal leaders and local village communities. A number of residents carried red and white flags.

It was also stated that Pastor Giman invited all village heads, religious leaders and community leaders to work together to fully support the TNI-Polri.

“We strongly reject the existence of groups that will enter and cause chaos or trouble, because they really disturb the peace of the people, especially in the Tembagapura area,” said a youth leader, Jos Magay.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Nemangkawi Public Relations Task Force, Kombes M Iqbal Alqudussy who attended the event appreciated the declaration. Iqbal hopes residents in other areas can follow in the footsteps of the residents of Kampung Waa Banti.

“This is an example for other regions to work together with the TNI and Polri in maintaining security and order, especially fighting KKB,” said Iqbal.

Tembagapura residents against separatism news source: DETIK NEWS

Notes:

Indonesia opposes Papuan separatism not only supported by the historical fact of control over the region long before the Dutch colonialism, but also by a West Papuan self-determination result of the 1969 referendum (Act of Free Choice), which is internationally legitimate and legally binding.

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.

Since the democratization in 1998, especially since 2007, democracy by mean of elections has been introduced to increase political participation in the two provinces. The fact that the leaders of Papua and West Papua provinces are democratically elected by the people has strengthened the legality of the region as a province of Indonesia.