The Jakarta Post, November 14, 2006
Gus Dur hails Papuan as democracy hero
Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura
Murdered Papuan independence figure Theys Hiyo Eluay was a hero who struggled
peacefully to uphold democracy in Indonesia, former president Abdurrahman "Gus
Dur" Wahid said at the leaders' grave in Sentani on Monday.
"I respected him because he was a noted figure and freedom fighter not only for
Papuans, but also for the whole Indonesian people," Gus Dur said.
"That's why I will continue pushing for him to be named a national hero," he said.
Papuan Presidium Council member (PDP) Taha Alhamid said Theys was a role model
worldwide for people who peacefully fought for freedom.
"Figures like Pak Theys and Munir are heroes for all democracy lovers," Taha said.
Munir was a noted human rights activist, who was murdered by arsenic aboard a
Garuda plane en route to the Netherlands.
"For the Papuan people, Theys is a hero despite the absence of an acknowledgement
from the government," Taha said.
Gus Dur was visiting Papua to accept an award from the Papuan Traditional Council
for his support for Papuan aspirations while he was president.
During his term from 1999 to 2001, Gus Dur scandalized many nationalists by giving
presidential permission for Papuan activists to hoist the Bintang Kejora flag, a symbol
of the province's independence. An advocate of regional autonomy, he also approved
government assistance of Rp 2 billion (US$210,526) to finance the second Papuan
Nation Congress in 2000.
The former president is scheduled to receive the award at the Cendrawasih sports
stadium in Jayapura on Tuesday.
Gus Dur was given an official welcome by top Papuan leaders after arriving at Sentani
Airport at midday.
Earlier, dozens of Papuans held a religious ritual at Theys' grave, about 200 meters
from the airport, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of his murder.
After visiting the grave, Gus Dur, accompanied by his daughter Yenny Wahid, laid the
cornerstone for a memorial for slain independence figures at the cemetery.
Theys was last seen alive on Heroes Day in 2001 after attending a provincial
government reception at the Hotel Matoa in Jayapura at 6 p.m.
Later that evening, his driver, Aristoteles Masoka, made an frantic call to Theys'
house, saying the leader had been abducted. Theys was found dead in his upturned
car a day later on Nov. 11. Aristoteles, is still missing.
Despite his links to the autocratic rule of former President Soeharto, Theys' was
revered by many.
The pro-independence movement insists he was killed because of his efforts to break
the province away from Indonesia. Activists have alleged Theys' death was connected
to the Indonesian security forces.
During the Monday ceremony, Aristoteles' mother, Sila Ayomi, cried openly. She said
she had continued to search for her son since Theys' death.
"Pak Theys -- it was clear he was killed, but my child, I don't know about his fate,"
she said.
"If he is still alive, he would be 26 years old now," she said.
Sila said she had reported the case to the National Commission on Human Rights
and the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence but had heard
nothing
Aristoteles is believed to have witnessed Theys' murder.
All contents copyright © of The Jakarta Post.
|
