Stand Up Against the Misguided Propaganda of KNPB

The group that calls itself the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) again spreads terror disturbing public tranquility in Papua by calling on for demonstrations and misguided political propaganda leading to treason and breach of the law. Protest spread by KNPB brings the issue of referendum, the liberation of prisoners/detainees, and support for a few people who call themselves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP). ULMWP today is currently seeking for attention on the international stage to gain recognition from the international community, especially from the forum of Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

To legitimize their activity, they turn the real facts upside down with lies about human rights violations, genocide, and colonization carried out by Indonesia Government. A close relationship between the government and all the people of Papua, as well as rapid progress and development in Papua, especially under the administration of Jokowi was ignored as if there were no such things. KNPB misguided propaganda was intended to attract sympathy and support both funding and political access of the international community in order to campaign for independence.

Both KNPB and ULMWP always claim as the only group that represents the people of Papua and has received international recognition, especially from the small number of countries in South Pacific Islands and Africa. The issue of Melanesian clump is manipulated as an entry point into the MSG. This group is also in touch with a number of criminals in Papua who became fugitive of Indonesian government for various crimes and law violations in Papua, such as Benny Wenda who currently lives in London, and Buchtar Tabuni. Therefore, it's fair to consider KNPB as a propaganda mouthpiece for the government's fugitives who have fled abroad and enjoy the various facilities of the results of exploiting Papua.

Misguided Propaganda

KNPB political propaganda is clearly misguided and harmful to the social order of the Papuan. Lawsuit over the status of Papua as part of Indonesia's sovereignty by questioning and demanding for a 1969 referendum for independence is clearly ahistorical, contrary to international norms, unfounded and counter-productive to the interests of the people of Papua. Since the proclamation of independence, Papua has automatically become an integral part of Indonesia. It refers to the internationally recognized principle of "Uti possidetis Juris" meaning the former colony inherited colonial territory. The Dutch colonial government put West Papua as a part of the Maluku Province, so Indonesia is entitled to claim the territory of Papua as the part of its sovereignty.

Politically, the position of Papua as Indonesia region is strengthened through the democratic political process by convening a plebiscite or referendum (Act) in 1969 for the people of Papua under the UN supervision. Furthermore, it is also strengthened by the UN resolution No. 2504 set out in the UN General Assembly on 19 November 1969 on the admission of the referendum. The validity of this historical fact cannot be denied and hence the position of Papua as part of the Homeland is politically and legally legitimate, and inviolable both from KNPB and other countries.

KNPB invitation to support the recognition of the ULMWP in MSG does not reflect the aspirations of the people of Papua. MSG members are Indonesia's friendly countries which have the obligation to respect the sovereignty and are not entitled to interfere the domestic affairs of Indonesia. The response that MSG provides is only limited to solidarity of Melanesia clump, not a support for separatism initiated by KNPB and ULMWP. In fact, a number of representatives of MSG have visited Papua and appreciate the changes and development progress that has been achieved by Papua. Therefore, if there are members of MSG interfering the issue of Papua, Indonesia will have the right to defend its sovereignty in accordance with international norms and national interests of Indonesia.

The issue of support from the parliamentary caucus formed by a number of parliament members from several countries, such as Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, cannot be read as a political representation of the respective government's official stance. Precisely, the parliamentary caucus could be interpreted as a sort of informal political attention of a number of politicians in some countries in order to overcome the problem of development in Papua and develop a more democratic political climate, which is in line with the Indonesian government.

The formation of the parliamentary caucus is not something new. This is similar to the formation of the parliamentary caucus which was also done by a number of parliament members across the country to encourage the process of democratization in Myanmar without offending the national sovereignty of Myanmar. Therefore, the informal stance of the international parliamentary caucus is not the same as political support for separatism voiced by ULMWP.

Regarding to the issue of human rights violations, there are some specific cases and events which need to be scrutinized. Indonesia as a country that ratified the Convention on Human Rights has a strong commitment to the protection of human rights which is completed by instruments of human rights led by Komnas HAM. The events of the past cannot be generalized with the changes that have taken place in line with the implementation of special autonomy in Papua. The use of repressive mechanism, as long as it has a clear legal basis, is intended to create a law and order to protect the interests of citizens, and is not certainly identical with human rights violations. Instead it is a common practice done in any country.

Synergy of the People and the Government

It takes a synergy between the people and the government to fight against KNPB misguided propaganda. Various rejection against KNPB by Papuans from various backgrounds and elements, such as youth, students, traditional leaders, the integration fighters of Papua in various corners of the region, is an indication of anxiety and disgust of the public on the activities of KNPB. The spontaneous, sincere, and fully aware reactions indicate the strong unity of the people of Papua in facing any threats that can interfere the interests of Papuans and the sustainable development of the welfare of Papuans. This situation should immediately get a response from the government so that the public anxiety does not turn into anger that can ignite more radical action to fight against the separatism campaign implemented by KNPB.

The responsive attitude of the government must be realized in decisive, appropriate, effective and comprehensive measures in overcoming the issue of KNPB. As a part of efforts to protect the interests of the people of Papua, the rule of law and to protect the sovereignty, the government should not be afraid of the great support of the people of Papua. The Government and people of Papua will not tolerate any actions against the law, separatism and foreign collaborators carried out in beloved Papua.

*) The author is an alumni of Social and Political Science Faculty in University of Jember, East Java, and a master from University of Indonesia. A Jakarta-based doctoral candidate.