The Jakarta Post, July 17, 2007
Papuans divided on flag controversy
Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura
A proposal to turn the outlawed Bintang Kejora flag into Papua's cultural symbol has
received resistance from a Free Papua Movement (OPM) political prisoner and a
former pro-Indonesian independence fighter.
The objection against the proposal, which was recommended by the Papuan Custom
Council, was revealed to journalists after a meeting with Papua Legislative Council
Speaker John Ibo on Monday.
"I disagree with Bintang Kejora being turned into a cultural symbol because the flag is
a representation of a sovereign nation," said Saul Bomay who was jailed for 15 years
at Kalisosok in Surabaya, East Java.
"Its meaning should not be diminished to a mere cultural symbol."
He said many Papuans had died under the flag fighting for Papua's independence.
A former 1945 independence fighter Ramses Ohee, also Sentani's tribe chief, has
voiced similar sentiments.
"We refuse (to let) the flag be turned into a cultural symbol because it represents
efforts to separate from the Republic of Indonesia," he said after meeting John Ibo on
Monday.
Ramses said if Papuans wanted to have a cultural flag, the matter should be
discussed with them -- rather than taking quietly the idea to the council on behalf of
all Papuans.
"We, the seniors, are here," he said.
"The proposal should be publicly discussed and we as Papuans have the right to give
our opinion."
John Ibo said the proposal to turn Bintang Kejora into a cultural flag, the Burung
Mambruk bird into local symbol and Hai Tanahku Papua (Papua's My Land) into a
local song would not automatically be accepted.
He said there several decision-making stages were needed.
"We should involve researchers to evaluate the meaning of a symbol or a flag before
this can be decided," he said.
He suggested involving Papuan people by asking them to chose via a contest a
cultural symbol, flag or song.
Papua Legislative Council deputy speaker Komarusin Watubun said the 2001 special
autonomy laws covered issues surrounding the flag, symbols and songs.
But Komarusin said it was not specifically written anywhere the Bintang Kejora was a
cultural symbol, the Mambruk bird was a local symbol or the Hai Tanahku Papua was
a local song.
He said analysis and careful deliberation was a must.
"We don't want our decision (to make a victim of) the people."
Indonesia's central government has long been criticized for being solely interested in
Papua's rich natural resources, with little regard for its people.
However, former president Abdurrahman Wahid was praised for a number of his
policies that were favorable to Papuans during his presidency.
While in power, he authorized the province's name change from Irian Jaya to Papua
and allowed the Papuan flag, the Bintang Kejora, to be raised as a cultural symbol.
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