Papua, For Whom?

Some voices demanding the independence of Papua are still in the air, although they come from a seemingly small group of people. By using an organization called United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), this group of people who never feel satisfied with the government, keep demanding the independence of Papua. The question is, for whom actually is Papua?.

In Dutch colonial era, Papua was a part of Dutch East Indies that then became Indonesia. Before the Dutch colonist came, Nusantara (group of islands that is now the territory of Indonesia) consisted of many kingdoms that then being tricked by the Dutch with Divide et Impera (breaking up the existing power structure). They exploited conflicts among ethnics. This common fate and feeling then united the people of Dutch East Indies as one nation. Regarding Papua status, in 1969, there was an Act of Free Choice (self-determination/PEPERA) suggesting that Papua, which formerly was a part of Tidore Kingdom, would then join Indonesia.

Indonesia is serious in developing Papua

The seriousness of Indonesian Government to develop Papua is no doubt. The government has created many development program for Papua. However, some people who did not get "the cake", feel tricked, constrained, and oppressed under Indonesian Government. Through Special Autonomy (Otsus) scheme, Papuan local government can have a privilege to build their province and create a better place for Papuan people. The Otsus is a big opportunity that Papuan government should have harnessed to bring forward Papua to catch up with other provinces. Nevertheless, the Otsus always becomes the scapegoat in the development failure in Papua.

Considering all things happened in Papua, Joko Widodo's administration, thus, pay special attention to Papua. The President creates various pro-people program, especially in the framework of developing Indonesia from outer areas. All improvement in Papua will be done gradually. It is not a one night mission. The Indonesian Government has also provided a big amount of Otsus fund which accounting to more than Rp50 trillion. All these showcase the seriousness of Indonesian Government in developing Papua.

Demand on independence is an ethnic-based and narrow idea

The demand on Papua's independence by ULMWP is an ethnic-based and narrow idea because it does not consider that Papua cannot move forward without the help from the newcomers who are not originally Papuan but have the goodwill to build Papua together. The vision to make Papua independent is merely based on anti-Indonesia sentiment. ULMWP as an organization must follow and respect all regulations in Indonesia including that there is no state within state.

Regarding their demand, there will be some questions ULMWP must deliberate. First, should Papua be independent, who will be benefit?. Second, will everybody in ULMWP get similar position in Papuan government?. Third, what will the Papuan People get from the independence?. Won't there be, instead, a power struggle amongst the Papuan?. The people of Papua must realize that the fight by ULMWP will only benefit a small group of people, while the rest of people eventually will distrust one another.

In addition, Indonesian Government is now working hard to face the globalization. If Papua is independent, will the Papuan be ready to face the global competition alone?. The independence will not guarantee the betterment of Papua. There is also no guarantee that the future leader will care about the wealth of the Papuan. During the Otsus, we can see how far the local leader is capable in bringing the wealth for the people and which people has been benefited by the Otsus. The Otsus fund that should be for the people, the allocation is in fact not clear.

The otsus funds needs an audit

The development in Papua, however, does not reflect, the budget Central government has allocated for Otsus. The fund that initially is designated for economic development and infrastructure does not hit the right targets. Many high rank officials in Papua grumbles that the amount is too small. Thus, an audit is required to check whether the fund is used accordingly or being corrupted.

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The misuse of Otsus fund might become a part of scenario of the groups that want Papua to be independent to say that Central Government has been unfair to Papua. This "unfairness" issue is, unfortunately, only addressed to Central Government. They forget that the governance in Papua is run by local government, so they should also address the issue to the local leader who is originally a Papuan. Given this condition, an audit is indeed needed regarding how the Otsus fund is used. The fund should be well-managed so that people of Papua can enjoy a decent life just like other people outside Papua.

*) A Post-graduate student of STIMA IMMI Jakarta.