Up to seven dead in West Papua as protest turns violent

Papuans to take referendum demands to Indonesian President

Indonesian President Joko Widodo says he’s willing to meet West Papua leaders this week to discuss their demands for an independence referendum.

The offer comes as protests in West Papua enter a second week, with calls for the United Nations to investigate the deteriorating situation.

The Indonesian Government has blocked internet access to West Papua and deployed more than 1,000 troops to the province.

Warnings of an Indonesian crackdown come just weeks before Joko Widodo is inaugurated as president for a second term.

Guest: Andreas Harsono, Indonesia researcher, Human Rights Watch, and author of Race, Islam and Power: Ethnic and Religious Violence in Post-Suharto Indonesia

Source: ABC Net

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via IFTTT August 28, 2019 at 03:51PM

Thousands of Papuans occupy governor’s office after rioting

More protests in Papuan regencies

West Papua rebel shot dead as protests continue

Indonesia deploys extra security forces as protests spread

Papuan outrage after Surabaya harassment

Surge in Papua violence prompts stronger stand from Pacific leaders

PNG Governor warns Indonesian president Widodo over West Papua

I am an old man – Rugby Union saved my life, its my birthday

In a couple of hours or a liitle more, I will be truly in the old man catergory, so its a little emotional for me as I lay resting in my bed doing some reflecting on my life thus far.

Growing up, I started with good perspective about life and its ups and downs. I was not perfect and made wrong decisions many times, but I can pretty much handle the bad situations in my life.

I was doing ok but when I entered the 40s, things really changed, and went downhill really fast, and I thought very seriously about ending my life. I did not want to live anymore.

I went into depression, I lost a few things, lost my job, and lost a car, which to this day, I have no idea, how it got lost or what I did with it, that if I had given it to someone, or left it somewhere with the engine running. I had an illness, I did not know I had it. My depression was so bad I could not remember things. I was the collateral damage of what was directed at Sir William Skate from 1999 to 2002.

Many times I just sit under the tree and stare blankly.

One day someone found my old gym bag that still had my weight gloves, weight belt, and one two other items in it. This gym bag dated back to the time when I was working for PX in the 80s. I used to go to the Gym then.

It was the first gym ever to be established in Port Moresby, or Png for that matter and was located under the building of what is now the Hideaway Hotel, and it was run by an Australian woman called Debbie Clerk.

Debbie Clerk was the wife of a Kiwi bloke called Clive Clerk, who was famous for Coaching the Tarangau Rugby Team, and one time was the Kumuls Nationsl coach.

I cleaned the Gym Bag, and started going to the Holiday Inn Gym, when it was being managed by Ravu Kila. Ms Ravu Kila was a Fitness Guru, and Instructor and was into the Aerobics dance exercise phenomenon. She was very kind to me.

I had no money to pay for the Gym, so Ravu Kila said if I could help around, clean and Coach Squash, I could use the Gym for free. Thats where I met my good brother Pascoe Vala, where we would play Squash twice a week.

I was slowly getting over the depression as I was attending Court for the charges relating to the Bill Skate Issue.

From 1999 to 2002 I was still facing the Courts, and so the depression still hanged over me. Early in 2002 around February, I attended a Court Case, and the Judge set me free.

I walked from the Courthouse to the Gym.

I did not know how to feel, and my mind was still blank, and when I hit the Gym, I went crazy. I lifted weight, leg press, you name it I did it. I spend the next 4 hours in the Gym. I think that day I bench pressed 150 kilos of weight. I was reaching 140 kilos, but that day driven by the excitement of the Court decision, I broke some sort of record. I lifted 10 kilos, and pressed two times. I could manage only two presses but, man, I was excited.

At 4.30pm that same day, I walked past the Murray Barracks Oval, on the way home and saw the DRUC team training. I saw a familiar figure, my Egu Abel Tore, so I walked in to see him, when I found out that he was the Coach. I asked if I could play.

Able Tore and I played with Barbarians, but earlier on before playing for Barbs, I joined Nick Plummer, Damien Amo and others and we formed the PX Rugby Union Club. It was later called Skyline, but I had already retired f r om playing to concentrate on work.

At 45 years old, I asked if I could play. I told Egu Able Tore I was fit, I did weights everyday, and played Squash with Pascoe Vala twice a week. Egu Able Tore allowed me to play, after almost 17 years absence.

So I played and I was always in the first 15, but I played for only 10 minutes, and than Douglas Papaso would replace me after 10 minutes.

I began enjoying playing Rugby Union, and these beautiful game made me appreciate life again, it restored my life, slowly and surely, it took my depression away.

DRUC won the Grand Final that year in 2002 and I was part of the team. Instead of celebrating with DRUC boys, I went home, had a shower and went to sleep. Later that night I woke up around 11.30pm, and I drive to Clubb 22, looking for Lamp Shanks and cheaps but realised I only had K20.00 on me. I met with the late Carlos Hoot there too, and he was looking for food too. Anyway as the good and kind brother he was, he bought me a lamp shank. I drove to Murray Barracks, drove up to the top of the Commanders Hill, ate my meal of lamb shanks and cheaps, and then jusr sat there until the sun rose.

I drove away and left my illness, my state of depression there on top of the Commanders Hill.

In less than three hours it will be my birthday.

I appreciate Rugby Union saved my life. Now in my coaching life, I see young people, the jobless, the homeless, the pennyless, the no names, the criminals, the wait court boys, using Rugby Union to keep their heads above water. I see Rugby Union gives them joy and they forget that they are hungry, pennyless and they come, they just come to play rugby, because Rugby Union is a thing that makes them happy.

I think of my situation way back then and I feel for the boys I coach, they have their own personal troubles, and that is the reason why, I always talk too much about rugby and this why I fight PngRugby Board. I feel they do not understand that Rugby Union saves lives, not only mine, but the kids who play the game today.So

Source: Facebook.com

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via IFTTT August 26, 2019 at 06:11AM

PNG Capital to Host Peaceful Demonstration to Show Solidarity to West Papua Campaign

Papuans continue protests against racism and hatred

Riots in West Papua: why Indonesia needs to answer for its broken promises

Last weekend, the Indonesian police took 43 West Papuan students into custody for allegedly disrespecting the Indonesian flag during an independence day celebration (an allegation the students deny).

Police stormed the students’ dorm and used teargas to force them out, while bystanders and officers called them “monkeys”, a derogatory term for ethnically Melanesian Papuans.

West Papuans have long been cast by Indonesians as primitive people from the Stone Age, and this racist treatment continues to this day. West Papuan author Filep Karma described the extent of racism against West Papuans in his 2014 book, As If We Are Half-Animal: Indonesia’s Racism in Papua Land, saying he often heard Indonesians call West Papuans monkeys.

This latest episode of discrimination builds on more than five decades of racism, torture, summary executions, land dispossession and cultural denigration of West Papuans by Indonesian security forces.

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• Read more: Finding a dignified resolution for West Papua

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After the students were detained last weekend, riots erupted in the cities of Manokwari and Jayapura. Thousands of people turned out to protest against the mistreatment of the students and, more broadly, the mistreatment of West Papuans by the Indonesian authorities. Many protesters waved the nationalist Morning Star flag, an act punishable by a 15-year jail sentence (Indonesia is not just sensitive about how West Papuans treat the Indonesian flag – the state prohibits them from flying their own.)

In response to the deteriorating security situation, Indonesia has deployed more troops to the region.

Detailed Story HERE

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via IFTTT August 22, 2019 at 10:47AM

Indonesian racism towards Papuans and its implications for a Free West Papua Movement

Yamin Kogoya examines years of racism by Indonesians toward Melanesian Papuans and their Pacific culture and identity. He asks whether Pacific countries will ‘sell their souls’ in the face of Indonesian bribes rather than back Papuan independence.

Escalating violence and attacks on Papuan students saw thousands of young people march on the streets this week and set fire to the Parliament building in West Papua. This was in response to Papuan students being attacked in their dormitory in Surabaya last weekend after they had allegedly bent a flagpole during the Indonesian Independence Day celebrations on August 17.

Surabaya police chief, Senior Commissioner Sandi Nugroho, said the attack on the Papuan student dormitory was carried out by Indonesian nationalist community groups who were angered by the treatment of their national flag.

In an effort to restore calm, the Papua Governor, Lukas Enembe called on all Indonesian citizens to respect their  national value of “unity in diversity” (Bhineka Tunggal Ika), and for the security forces to act professionally and in accordance with Indonesian laws and to not let activist groups take the law in their own hands.

He reiterated that Papuans studying in Indonesian cities and towns must be treated with dignity and respect and this is how Papuans treat Indonesians studying in West Papua.

The timing of last weeks’ attacks, retaliations and protests could not be more significant for both the Papuans and Indonesians. On 16 August 2019, the leaders of Pacific Island nations passed several resolutions regarding the Papuan genocide at the Pacific Island Forums, while 17 August 2019 was the 74th anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day.

Papuans have endured years of racism and violence

Papuans are no stranger to Indonesia’s cruel and violent racism and which they have endured since the 1960s. Papuans have died, been marginalised, and had their rights denied because of racism.

Filep Karma, a West Papuan political activist experienced firsthand racism by Indonesians during his university years, and in 2014 said: “As If We Are Half Animal: Indonesia’s Racism in Papua Land”.

Fifty-six years later, and these cruel racial slurs are alive and thriving as Papuans continue to be called monkeys, insinuating that they are primitive. This insult cuts deep in the hearts of Papuans.

Just last week, Indonesian Human Rights Lawyer, Veronica Koman posted videos on her Twitter feed of Indonesian demonstrators holding up picture monkeys and chanted “kick out, kick out the transmigrants, kick out transmigrants now”.

While the world’s media is focusing on the violence involved in the demonstrations, they are ignoring what is at the heart of the demonstrations, that being racism. It is not acceptable to call Papuans monkeys, effectively denying them their fundamental intrinsic value of being human.

And while President Joko Widodo called on his brothers and sisters in Papua and West Papua to forgive and forget, the racial harassment and discriminations against Papuan students has been ongoing.

Governor Enembe said: “Papuans students throughout Indonesia always get called Monkey and are not safe”.

During an interview on Indonesian TV ONE, he condemned the way Papuan students are treated in other parts of Indonesia.

“It has been 74 years since Indonesia gained its independence from the Dutch and this country still treats my people inhumanly. If the situation doesn’t improve, I will bring my Papuan students back home,” he said.

Racism is a weapon deployed by the colonial power to break down the Papuan human spirit.  This is the same weapon Indonesia is using that was used on them by the Europeans, and who killed millions of the first nation people around the world over 500 years.

A case of money-see-monkey-do for Indonesia?

As The Jakarta Post reported, “racism” is at the heart of the Surabaya -West Papua conflict, and highlighted Indonesia’s own experience of racism under the Dutch colonial rule.

It appears that after 74 years of independence from the Dutch, and despite Indonesia’s national ideology of “Pancasila” and “Bhineka Tunggal Ika” (Five constitutional Pillars and Unity in Diversity”, it is still suffering from the decades of racial abuse under Dutch rule.

Indonesian treatment of Papuans is like a revenge towards unexamined grievances they suffered. Papuans’ genocide at the hands of Indonesia in West Papua and unprecedented destruction of their ancestral homeland originated in the minds of racist Europeans. 

But they are projecting their anger onto the wrong people. They should direct their anger onto the Dutch and Western governments.

The Dutch used guns and the Bible to tame the Indigenous Indonesian over 300 years. They broke their human spirit and imagination through racial discrimination. They were dehumanized and used as a lethal weapon against all other non-Dutch Europeans.

The Dutch implemented a class system whereby the Indonesians were third class citizens, well beneath the first-class Europeans, and the second-class Chinese and Arabs.

And so, the cycle continues, with Indonesia trying to dehumanise and break the Papuan spirit so they can rebuild them to identity with Indonesian colonial ideas.

Indonesia wants to love Papuans and accept them as part of Indonesia. However, they cannot because, just like their former European colonialists, Indonesia has wrong and distorted information about Papuans.

As articulated by sociologist Thomas Scheff in The Jakarta Post on Friday, May 31, 2013:

“There is no love between Papuans and Indonesians. It is infatuation. Genuine love requires detailed knowledge of the other”.

Another tragic learned behaviour from the Dutch is Indonesia taking the role of “definer”. Essentially, Indonesia sees itself as the tape measure that other people and cultures have to measure up to or ‘be defined’.

Papuans are subjected to racism everywhere they go, from university dormitories, the marketplace and on the streets. The Papuan values, feelings, emotions and psychology are under constant attack by the colonial racist system. This is the institutionalised racism to poison the soul of Papuans.

Papua a racism football kicked around for years

West Papua has been treated as a commodity for years, being passed around and sacrificed as world leaders saw fit. The USA, Australia, Dutch and Indonesia decided its fate during the negotiations in the 1960s. It was sacrificed for world peace on UN’s alter in 1963 and handed over to Indonesia in an attempt to halt the spread of communism in Indonesia (by way of providing an army).  Remarkably, West Papuans was never considered nor were they invited to participate in this meeting

US President Kennedy referred to West Papuans as “The 700,000 living in the Stone Age…a few thousand square miles of cannibals land.” Papuans was used to secure the interest of Western governments and the Soviet Bloc. They had no value and rights. The result of these negotiations cost millions of Papuan lives.

Western policy makers were more concerned with teaching Papuans how to eat with knife and fork rather than their rights for political independence.

Unfortunately forPapuans, their relationship with Europeans has always been tainted by racism. The Western governments, Chinese, Indonesian and industrialised countries always assume that natural state of being Papuan is not desirable which is why they always attempt to dehumanise the Papuans.

According to Dr Tarcisius Kabutaulaka, associate professor at the Centre for Pacific Islands Studies at the University of Hawai’i, Europeans have always placed Melanesian people at the bottom of human hierarchy because of their darker skin colours and cultural traits that led to them being viewed as primitive.

They bear the internal stigma of “Oceanic Negroes”.  The crimes Melanesian committed to be boxed at the bottom of the Europeans’ category was simply the fact.

Is this the path to independence?

The intriguing aspect about this recent demonstration is how seriously Papuan students and young people are taking the issue of “racism”. They are using the ongoing racism to voice their deep aspiration for independence from Indonesia.

Recently, Indonesia has been focusing on building diplomatic relationships with the Pacific island countries but, how can a genuine relationship be built and sustained when one party approaches the other with a paternalistic colonial mental outlook? This was evident during the 2019 Pacific Exposition in Auckland whereby the Indonesian government did not disclose the real issues faced by Papuans. What Indonesia did display was misconstrued image of the Papuan.

If Indonesia continues to see Papuans through the lens of racism (monkey), why would they treat any other black race in the Oceania with love and respect. To build a sense of brotherhood among all men across all our cultural and religious prejudices, we need a new interconnectedness worldview, not racially fragmented one.

If President Jokowi was sincere about calling Papuans “brothers and sisters” then it is time for Indonesian to treat Papuans with dignity and respect, including the overwhelming desire by Papuans for “Independence”. Otherwise these words are meaningless.

Despite the Indonesian effort to truncate the growing support for an independent West Papua, the Pacific island leaders did pass a few resolutions in during last week PIF’s meeting in Tuvalu.

What do these resolutions really mean to Papuans? Whether it was a mere Orwellian exercise concocting the final communique -a pure fiasco or it is one of the steps that will enable the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) to enter UN General Assembly, one thing is clear that support for the West Papuans plight is growing.

This support from Pacific island communities will likely grow in the future if Indonesia continues to mistreat their fellow Papuans.

Calling Papuans a monkey can and will ignite the fire of resistance (as seen by thousands of Papuans protesting and setting fire to parliament house). The issue of racism is serious and failure to recognise this will end up costing Indonesia the very thing they are trying to hold on to.

As Evi Mariani warned Jakarta in her paper published yesterday by The Jakarta Post:

“Racism in the love story in Bumi Manusia is the prequel to Indonesia’s budding nationalism against the occupation of the Dutch before our independence in 1945. Surely, we would not want the racism befalling Papuans to pave the way for their struggle for independence from ‘Indonesian occupation’ on their land.”

The outspoken Free West Papua advocate, the governor of PNG Oro Province, Gary Juffa has warned through his official Facebook page that:

“In case any of you have any misconception about your future fate at the hands of expanding Indonesian influence…here is a grim remainder…if they call our brothers and sisters monkeys…on their own land…that is exactly what they are calling us now”

The leaders of “Blue Pacific” cannot be naïve like a rabbit by inviting the wolves from Jakarta, Beijing and Canberra to discuss about what they are going to have for dinner. Dangerous and yet virtues rabbit is better than harmless and virtue less creature that lives only to be eaten by predators.

It is West Papua’s deepest hope that the Pacific Island leaders will not sacrifice West Papua by accepting a worldly materialistic offer by Jakarta, Beijing and Canberra. How remarkable it would be in this modern world for the racially abused and subjugated people are able to stand firm against the might and reject the gold in favour of their own souls. That would be the retelling of an old story written anew.

Yamin Kogoya is a West Papuan academic who has a Master of Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development from the Australian National University who contributes to Asia Pacific Report. From the Lani tribe in the Papuan Highlands, he is currently living in the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

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via IFTTT August 22, 2019 at 09:48AM

West Papuan students barricaded, detained and tear-gassed by police on Indonesian ‘freedom’ day

BY TASHA WIBAWA

Indonesian police have defended their decision to storm into a dormitory of West Papuan students alongside the nation’s military, over vigilante allegations that someone had committed slander on the national symbol.

Key points:

• Police arrested 43 students but released them without charge over allegations of “committing slander on the national flag”
• Earlier this week pro-West Papuan protesters were attacked and hundreds arrested
• The acquisition of West Papua by Indonesia has long been a cause of controversy

Police and armed military personnel stormed through the gates of the dormitory in the Indonesian city of Surabaya, firing around 20 tear gas canisters into the building, causing injuries, last Saturday.

Forty three students were arrested and taken to a police station in the city, but released around nine hours after without charge, over claims that the Indonesian flag was found in the gutter by the building.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has sought to ease tensions, with his Chief Security Minister pledging a “complete and fair” investigation into the incidents.

Mr Widodo called for calm in Papua and urged people not to damage public facilities.

“It’s OK to be emotional, but it’s better to be forgiving,” he said.

“Patience is also better.”

Today, protesters torched a local parliament building and set fire to tyres and branches in the West Papua provincial capital, Manokwari.

A separate, peaceful protest of about 500 people was also underway in the town of Jayapura, the capital of Papua province.

The protests appears to be in retaliation to the detention and treatment of West Papuan students in Surabaya between Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

Nationalist vigilantes gathered outside the student’s dormitory building from Friday night — a day before Indonesia’s independence day —singing the Indonesian national anthem, cutting power to the building, and attacking good Samaritans delivering food and drinks to the trapped students.

Read Full Story HERE

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via IFTTT August 19, 2019 at 04:15PM

Vanuatu to host next Pacific Islands Forum

Pacific leaders push for UN rights commissioner visit to Papua

Thousands riot in Papua, parliament building torched

Tuvalu’s Prime Minister on Australia’s Statements at PIF Retreat

“I thought the Australian labour scheme was determined on mutual respect, that Australia was also benefiting,” said Mr Sopoaga. “We are not crawling below that. If that’s the view of the government, then I would have no hesitation in pulling back the Tuvaluan people as from tomorrow.”

“I don’t think the Tuvaluan people are paupers to come crawling under that type of very abusive and offensive language,” he said. “If New Zealand is thinking the same way, we’ll have no other option but to do that [there too].”

Source: Facebook.com

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via IFTTT August 19, 2019 at 09:08PM

Indonesia arrests dozens of West Papuans over claim flag was thrown in sewer

Officers shot tear gas canisters into student accommodation and took 43 people into custody after reports on social mediaHelen Davidson

Indonesian authorities raided a university dormitory in Surabaya on Saturday and arrested dozens of West Papuan students after a standoff over allegations the Indonesian flag was thrown into a sewer.

Officers broke down the gates of the Surabaya building and used teargas to clear the rooms, taking 43 people into custody on the Indonesian Independence Day weekend.

Surabaya police told Kompas news the students were brought in for questioning over the “destruction and disposal” of the Indonesian flag, which had been hanging outside the student hostel.

The students were released around midnight after questioning.

Surabaya city police chief, Senior Commissioner Sandi Nugroho, told the Jubi news outlet that witnesses claimed the individual who damaged the flag had gone inside the student accommodation.

Reports of the damaged flag had reportedly spread on social media, drawing a crowd of residents to the building to protest on Friday and Saturday, allegedly shouting anti-West Papuan slogans and threats, and singing the Indonesian national anthem.

On Friday night police urged the crowds outside the student accommodation to leave.

On Saturday afternoon police fired teargas into the building. CNN Indonesia reported at least 23 shots of teargas were fired.

The Indonesian human rights lawyer Veronica Koman accused the police of a “totally disproportionate” response, and alleged a number of students were injured during the raid.

“Fully armed police shot teargas into the dorm, charged into it, forced the students to squat and waddle along the ground, then arrested them,” Koman said.

“They were released at almost midnight. The students still could not go in because the teargas still smelt strong. Some of their stuff are still confiscated without any warrant.

“The arrest is totally disproportionate. The students were not even told why they were arrested. That violates the criminal procedural law.”

Guardian Australia has attempted to contact the East Java Regional Police for comment.

Koman said two Indonesian students who had attempted to bring food and water to the students on Saturday, prior to the raid, were beaten and arrested.

She said she had been speaking to the students on Friday night and could hear “racists chants” through the phone.

“People demanded the students to come out so they can kick them out from the city and kill them,” she said.

“They chanted ‘Out! Out! Papua out!’, ‘massacre Papua! massacre Papua’. The crowd sang Indonesian anthem until past midnight.”

CNN Indonesia also reported the chants from the crowd, which it said included people wearing clothing referencing the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and the far-right Pancasila Youth organisation.

West Papua has been locked in a civil conflict for decades over its demands for independence from Indonesia, which annexed the territory on the western half of the island of Papua in the 1960s. In that time there have been claims of up to half a million people killed, and Indonesia has been accused of human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings.

Reports of growing support among non-Papuan Indonesians have bolstered the independence movement, and Koman said harassment and intimidation of West Papuans in Indonesia was worsening.

“Last year, mobs forced to fly Indonesian flag at the same location,” she said.

“This only happens towards the West Papuans.”

Last week Indonesian authorities broke up a number of protests across Indonesia – timed to coincide with consideration of the West Papuan independence claim at the Pacific Islands Forum – with mass arrests and some violence.

Source; The Guardian.com

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via IFTTT August 19, 2019 at 07:40AM

More than 150 West Papuans arrested in demonstrations – lawyer

Pacific leaders want action on West Papua human rights issues

By Nic Maclellan in Funafuti, Tuvalu, Source: https://islandsbusiness.com/

Members of the Pacific Islands Forum have urged Indonesia to take action on human rights violations in West Papua, and strongly encouraged Jakarta to facilitate a long-mooted visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.

Regional Prime Ministers and Presidents met this week in Tuvalu for the 50^thPacific Islands Forum. Echoing the language of the Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting in July, the leaders “welcomed the invitation by Indonesia for a mission to West Papua (Papua) by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and strongly encouraged both sides to finalise the timing of the visit and for an evidence-based, informed report on the situation be provided before the next Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in 2020.”

Human rights groups have long reported on violations by Indonesian police and military forces deployed in West Papua. However, concern has escalated since the Indonesian army extended operations around Nduga in West Papua last December, following the shooting of construction workers on road-building operations through the regency. Since then, West Papuan human rights monitoring groups have reported that more than 30,000 people have been displaced, with healthcare facilities and schools damaged during Indonesian military operations. The Jakarta Post has reported that at least 182 displaced people have died from exposure and lack of food after fleeing their homes since December.

Lobbying the leaders

In recent years, West Papua has been a constant topic on the agenda of the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum. This week in Funafuti, members of the United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP), including chair Benny Wenda and spokesperson Jacob Rumbiak, have been lobbying island leaders for support. Indonesia too has a delegation in Funafuti to participate in the Post-Forum Dialogue, including West Papuan lobbyist Nick Messet.

West Papua was a key issue raised in the formal dialogue between Forum leaders and civil society organisations (CSO) on Wednesday. CSO leaders presented a wide-ranging statement which included the request “that Forum Leaders call on Indonesia to immediately allow access of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN special mandate holders to West Papua….None of us can speak of an inclusive and peaceful Pacific and remain silent on the serious human rights issues for West Papuans. We call on Pacific Leaders to observe the importance of human rights in all parts of our region.” 

Tongan Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva responded emotionally to their call for action on West Papua.

“We should not let others control us. We should stand together in solidarity in support of the people of West Papua”, said Pohiva.

Speaking after the CSO dialogue, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches Reverend James Bhagwan said: “I’m very encouraged by the discussions and that they have made this a priority in the leaders retreat. We try to look at this not just as a moral issue, but to be pragmatic about the realities, knowing that there are strong partnerships between Indonesia and some Forum island countries – that was mentioned by Fiji and Australia.”

“Coming from a human rights perspective, you cannot talk about a Pacific household if people are excluded from that,” Reverend Bhagwan said. “You can’t talk about Pacific regionalism if there’s no Pacific solidarity. The inaction by Pacific leaders on West Papua speaks very loudly to that, and I think that was recognised. The responses from Tonga, from Samoa, even Kiribati and of course Vanuatu – with their consistent support – was very important today.”

Rev. Bhagwan stressed: “You can’t build a house and then ignore people. That recognition of one family, the Pacific family, is very key to this.”   

Leaders want action by Indonesia

In their final communique, Forum leaders “reaffirmed recognition of Indonesia’s sovereignty over West Papua (Papua). Leaders acknowledged the reported escalation in violence and continued allegations of human rights abuses in West Papua (Papua) and agreed to re-emphasise and reinforce the Forum’s position of raising its concerns over the violence.”

ULMWP Chair Benny Wenda said: “I welcome all the leaders’ decision. This is the first time that Forum leaders have called for a United Nations human rights visit. It’s time for Indonesia to allow the UN Human Rights Commissioner to come to visit West Papua. I think it’s an important step now.”

While the resolution makes no mention of the right to self-determination, Wenda welcomed the decision as a positive move forward: “This is step by step. This is the starting point and the fact that the resolution is a really, really important step for us to go to another level.”

Vanuatu has long championed the West Papuan cause and lobbied strongly for action. Vanuatu Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu said: “It’s the resolution we wanted so we’re very grateful to all the Pacific Island leaders. The resolution from the leaders and the very strong statements made in the CSO session on this issue shows that they all recognise that something more has got to be done, because the human rights situation is worsening.”

Regenvanu said he hoped that the UN Human Rights Commissioner could provide an “honest and frank account” to the next Forum leaders’ meeting

“The resolution is the result of the worsening situation just in the last year for human rights in West Papua,” he said. “In the last few years, the resolution has been about constructive engagement with Indonesia on the issue. But I think the leaders realised that the open and constructive engagement had not necessarily achieved the improvements in human rights that are desired. I think the situation in Nduga over the last year has caused Forum leaders to elevate the tone of the resolution.”

With his country scheduled to host the 51^st regional summit next year in Port Vila, the Vanuatu Foreign Minister said: “We also want a report back by the next Forum so the leaders can consider it under this agenda, which is a standing agenda of the Forum.”

“The onus is now on the Secretariat of the Forum and the member states of PIF, including the members that are part of the Human Rights Council, that they need to make sure the Commissioner gets to go,” he said. “Indonesia should see that there is a very clear concern and we hope this this statement will make them come to the table and work with the Commissioner to make sure this mission does happen.”

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via IFTTT August 17, 2019 at 12:36AM

Tongan PM blasts Pacific regionalism ‘myth’ and silence over West Papua

ULMWP: Strong Support from Pacific Islands

United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) spokesperson Jacob Rumbiak greeted with emotion the strong support from some Pacific leaders – particularly Tonga and Vanuatu.

Papuan tribute to Tonga

“We are happy that it has taken the 50th session of the Pacific Forum Leaders meeting to see some positive movement in the leaders of the Pacific. I am deeply appreciative of the great efforts of the CSOs for pushing this issue through their position to the leaders,” Rumbiak said.
He paid tribute to Tongan Prime Minister Pohiva for his powerful intervention.

“The response from Prime Minister Pohiva was the strongest so far and very powerful, especially when he urged them to unite and stand up to Indonesia.

“This issue has been on the regional agenda for 10-15 years and it’s not a domestic issue any more. It’s now a regional issue and leaders should now act on it’,”

said Rumbiak.

www.ulmwp.org

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via IFTTT August 16, 2019 at 03:43PM

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said that while Fiji heard the CSO’s position “loud and clear” on West Papua

Responding to the concerns of civil society organisations, Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said that while Fiji heard the CSO’s position “loud and clear” on West Papua, it would be guided by the leaders’ previous decision.

“Fiji fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, including Indonesia, and we will always uphold the principles of the UN charter,” said Bainimarama.

He said Fiji was concerned with alleged reports of human rights violation and would continue to advocate for the protection of the human rights of all West Papuans.`

“This is a matter of life or death to many West Papuans and we must tread boldly – but thoughtfully – as we move forward as a region.

‘War and chaos’
“Territorial disputes have fuelled war and chaos since the beginning of time and we must approach this situation with both caution and hope in finding a solution,” said Bainimarama.

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via IFTTT August 16, 2019 at 03:17PM

Lora Lini: Feeling peaceful with Kunume Wone

Kepulauan Pasifik kepung Australia, West Papua tetap jadi agenda PIF 2020

Australia’s illogic over Timor and West Papua

Source here – Pat Walsh

This week Prime Minister Scott Morrison joins other Pacific leaders for a summit in Tuvalu. There, in addition to climate change and other matters, he will be challenged by his counterparts to address the issue of human rights violations in West Papua.

For some Pacific leaders and Papuan activists, the continuing resistance and repression in Papua is due to the denial of self-determination to the Papuan people by the United Nations in August 1969, 50 years ago this month, and their forced incorporation into Indonesia as its 26th province. Australia endorsed the incorporation and continues to uphold it.

A few days later, the PM will travel to Timor-Leste to celebrate the 20th anniversary of that nation’s act of self-determination. In August 1999, also facilitated by the United Nations, 78.5 per cent of East Timorese voted freely for independence from Indonesia, ending their forced incorporation as Indonesia’s 27th province.

One wonders if the Prime Minister will be aware of the supreme irony of these two events, the lack of logic in Australia’s conflicting policies on the fate of the two peoples, and Canberra’s flexible approach to the much vaunted international rules based order when it does not serve pragmatic national interests.

As it has for many years, Vanuatu is spearheading expressions of concern about ongoing violence in West Papua. Aware that China’s increasing presence in the region is giving the Pacific new leverage in Canberra, Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu has overcome objections by Australia to rally support from other members of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and have West Papua listed on the summit agenda. 

He particularly wants the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Papua and report to the Forum before its next meeting in 2020. Also of interest is that Regenvanu hosted a visit to Port Vila in May by Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary General. Guterres was Prime Minister of Portugal in 1999 and is highly regarded in Timor-Leste for urging UN intervention there in response to the violence following the referendum.

Regenvanu has also ensured a seat at TIF proceedings for Benny Wenda, the UK-based leader of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua. Wenda is campaigning for the UN General Assembly to re-examine the 1969 Act of Free Choice. The World Council of Churches has recently registered its concerns about human rights in Papua.

“Fifty years on, Papuans continue to feel a deep sense of injustice; and Papua remains Jakarta’s only post-independence territorial problem which neither military crackdowns nor good will gestures have resolved.”

All this is heresy in Jakarta and Canberra. As with East Timor previously, both regard West Papua as a non-negotiable part of Indonesia. ‘Developments in Papua and West Papua province are purely Indonesia’s internal affairs,’ stated a Foreign Ministry response to PIF.

Australia is even more forthright: ‘Australia recognises Indonesia’s sovereignty over the Papua provinces, as stated in the Lombok Treaty of 2006. Australia will not support efforts that undermine Indonesian sovereignty over Papua in any forum and will not associate itself with any PIF communique to that effect.’

The UN recognised that East Timor and West Papua both enjoyed the right to self-determination and a free one-person one-vote say on their political future. In East Timor, after a long struggle, the principle was honoured in 1999 and resulted in peace, human rights and the relationship that Timor-Leste and Indonesia now enjoy. In West Papua, it was subverted by Suharto’s military, who allowed only 1025 Papuans to vote.

The result is plain to see. Fifty years on, Papuans continue to feel a deep sense of injustice; and Papua remains Jakarta’s only post-independence territorial problem which neither military crackdowns nor good will gestures by President Joko Widodo have resolved.

Scholars in the Netherlands and others increasingly argue that the UN is guilty of a grave miscarriage of justice in West Papua. Archbishop Desmond Tutu has called for a review and the UK Minister for Asia and the Pacific, Mark Field, recently described the Act as ‘an utterly flawed process’.

Papuans are entitled to ask, why did the UN treat them differently to the East Timorese? And is a flawed process irreversible? For answers, they are rightly turning their attention to the rules based system. The law that incorporated Papua into the Republic is currently being tested in Indonesia’s Constitutional Court in Jakarta and UN members are being asked to support a review of the 1969 process.

If they are confident of their case, what have Jakarta and Canberra to fear from such enquiries?

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via IFTTT August 16, 2019 at 12:10AM

Pacific leaders to discuss alleged human rights violation in West Papua

AQELA SUSU, FijiTimes

THE alleged human rights violation in West Papua is expected to be discussed at the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Tuvalu this week.

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat secretary-general Dame Meg Taylor confirmed this was one of the key issues considered by foreign ministers during the recent Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting (FFMM) at the PIFS in Suva.

Other key issues considered at the meeting included progress and recommendations on the leaders’ priorities on climate change advocacy, regional security and ocean governance.

Read the full report in today’s edition of The Fiji Times.

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via IFTTT August 15, 2019 at 08:53PM

50th PIF Leaders Meeting: Fiji reaffirms support to the people of West Papua

TALEBULA KATE, FijiTimes

PRIME Minister Voreqe Bainimarama today reaffirmed Fiji’s continuing support to the people of West Papua on the alleged human rights violations in West Papua.

Mr Bainimarama said he respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, including Indonesia.

In supporting the vision of a Blue Pacific, Mr Bainimarama said that Fiji supports the 10 year moratorium on seabed mining to allow for a decade of proper scientific research of our economic zones and territorial waters.

“I reiterate my call to PIF Members during the opening of our Climate Change Sautalaga event to step up and support this ambitious venture,” he said.

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via IFTTT August 15, 2019 at 08:48PM

Tongan PM speaks out for West Papua and questions solidarity and regionalism

By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor in Funafuti

Tonga’s Prime Minister, Akilisi Pohiva has delivered a stinging attack against regionalism and the Pacific Islands Forum’s stance of leaving no one behind, for failing to amicably resolve the issue of West Papua.

PM Pohiva admitted the issue has divided the 18 members of the Pacific Islands Forum for many years since it has been on the agenda of the Leaders meeting.

“Is regionalism a myth, is it real or based on reality, he questioned Leaders during the dialogue with the regional civil society organisations (CSOs) Wednesday in Funafuti.

PM Pohiva called out Indonesia – claiming it has a powerful influence over some members of the group – naming Fiji, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

“How can they reconcile the concept of leaving no one behind when they are friends with Indonesia?

“We should not let others control us. We should stand together in solidarity in support of the people of West Papua, said PM Pohiva.

There was pin-drop silence when the Tongan Prime Minister delivered his intervention responding to the regional CSO’s call for a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua.

“None of us can speak of an inclusive and peaceful Pacific and remain silent on the serious human rights issues for West Papuans. We call on Pacific Leaders to observe the importance of human rights in all parts of our region.  

“We urge that Forum Leaders call on Indonesia to immediately allow access of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN special mandate holders to West Papua, said the CSO statement.

Civil society organisations also requested Indonesia to immediately restore the access of independent journalists in the region, so that the international community can have better access to the on-going human rights situation in West Papua.
Responding to the concerns of civil society organisations, Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said while Fiji hears the position of CSO’s loud and clear on West Papua, it will be guided by the Leaders previous decision on the matter.

“Fiji fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states including Indonesia and we will always uphold the principles of the UN charter, said Bainimarama.

He said Fiji is concerned with alleged reports of human rights violation and will continue to advocate for the protection of the human rights of all West Papuans.`

“This is a matter of life or death to many West Papuans and we must tread boldly – but thoughtfully – as we move forward as a region. Territorial disputes have fuelled war and chaos since the beginning of time and we must approach this situation with both caution and hope in finding a solution, said Bainimarama.

The Tongan leader warned that Indonesia is powerful and can challenge anyone in the Forum membership.
“We will never get a solution because Indonesia is so powerful. Our only weapon is to stand together in unity and in solidarity and support the people of West Papua, said PM Pohiva.

Samoa’s Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi agrees that despite Forum Leaders taking a position over the years, the violations and challenges for the people of West Papua have not reduced.

“It keeps on increasing. We can’t continue to ignore the violations of human rights against the people of West Papua. Its time that we review our position.

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister reserved his government’s position on the issue until the issue is raised at today’s Retreat.

United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) spokesperson, Jacob Rumbiak was overcome with emotion to hear strong support from some Pacific leaders – particularly Tonga and Vanuatu.

“We are happy that it has taken the 50th session of the Pacific Forum Leaders meeting to see some positive movement in the Leaders of the Pacific. I am deeply appreciative of the great efforts of the CSOs for pushing this issue through their position to the Leaders, Rumbiak told PACNEWS here in Funafuti.

He paid tribute to the Prime Minister of Tonga for his powerful intervention.

“The response from Prime Minister Pohiva was the strongest so far and very powerful especially when he urged them to unite and stand up to Indonesia.

“This issue has been on the regional agenda for 10-15 years and it’s not a domestic issue any more. It’s now a regional issue and Leaders should now act on it’,” said Rumbiak.

SOURCE: PACNEWS

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via IFTTT August 15, 2019 at 07:29PM

Indonesian police arrest dozens of West Papuans – lawyer

An Indonesian lawyer says police have arrested dozens of West Papuan independence activists in Jayapura.

Demonstrators took to the streets in several Papuan cities on Thursday in support of their cause being raised at this week’s Pacific Islands Forum leaders summit.

But police in Jayapura have cracked down on the activists, who were also calling for a military withdrawal from restive Nduga regency.

Indonesian human rights lawyer Veronica Koman says at least 51 people with the United Liberation Movement for West Papua were arrested.

A police spokesperson didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Source: RNZ

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via IFTTT August 15, 2019 at 06:40PM

Solomon Islands and Vanuatu for United Nations to Visit West Papua

FUNAFUTI, Tuvalu – Prime Minister of Solomon Island, Hon. Manasseh Sogavare has met with his counterpart from Vanuatu Prime Minister, Hon. Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas, on Tuesday (08/13/2019) in Funafuti, Tuvalu during the opening of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. 

PM Sogavare said, the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) was at the top of the agenda of the two leaders. 

The two leaders agreed that MSG as an organization needed to be reorganized to its previous place as a  politicalplatformfor melanesia. 

They also chat about how MSG could be a platform for member states to collectively make decisions based on the needs of member countries to tackle problems such as climate change and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD).

The two leaders also agreed for United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNHRC) to visit and assess the human rights situation in West Papua.

In 2018, Vanuatu had prepared a draft resolution to decolonize West Papua.

Indonesia was also welcomed and praised for inviting UNHRC to conduct an assessment.

Bilateral trade agreements and cooperation between the two countries were also discussed between Hon. Sogavare and Hon. Salwai (*).

Source  www.tabloid-wani.com

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via IFTTT August 15, 2019 at 03:37PM

Support for West Papua ramped up ahead of Pacific leaders meeting

As the clock ticks down to the annual meeting of Pacific Leaders next week in Tuvalu, West Papuan activists have ramped up their lobbying efforts to get Pacific countries to support a resolution on the proposed visit by the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner, to investigate allegations of human rights violations in West Papua.

The head of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Benny Wenda has met with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare as part of his campaign.

“Most of the Melanesian leaders they are concerned and they are willing to support. Because this issues never go away from the Melanesian leaders,” Mr Wenda said.

Pacific Island leaders will discuss a resolution that is calling for the UN Human Rights Commissioner to visit the Indonesian region of West Papua and investigate human rights allegations.

Indonesia issued an invitation to the UN earlier this year, but the visit has yet to eventuate.

The resolution, if adopted by Pacific leaders, would also encourage a deadline to be set for the timing of the visit, and a report on the situation, to be submitted at the 2020 Pacific Forum Meeting.

Vanuatu’s special envoy to West Papua, Lora Lini said Vanuatu had championed the resolution during Forum officials and ministers meeting last month in Fiji, which set the agenda for next week’s Forum.

“We are looking forward to the outcomes from the leaders communique from the prime ministers of the Pacific Islands Forum country and Vanuatu will take this resolution to UN General Assembly,” Ms Lini said.

Mr Wenda was accompanied by PNG Governor Powes Parkop on his visit to Honiara, although it isn’t clear if Mr Parkop was an official representative for the national government.

Duration: 5min 22secBroadcast: Thu 8 Aug 2019, 6:00am

Source: ABC Radio

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via IFTTT August 09, 2019 at 07:30AM

UN votes for better cooperation with PIF but China, Indonesia abstain

On Pacific Beat with Catherine Graue

Download Pacific: UN votes for better cooperation with PIF (1.98 MB)Download 1.98 MB

With a week to go until the annual Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting in Tuvalu, the UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution on enhancing the UN’s cooperation with the Pacific Islands Forum — the region’s peak body.

The vote was carried with 137 members in favour, and none voted against it.

But there were 12 abstentions, and among those countries which chose not to vote were China and Indonesia, who are both high-level partners of the Pacific Islands Forum.

The full text of the resolution is yet to be released but in a statement, the UN said the General Assembly urged the UN and the Pacific Islands Forum to strengthen their joint pursuit of sustainable development outcomes, while also underlining the need for coherent approaches to build resilience to to extreme weather in the region.

Similar resolutions have been adopted in the past — the last was in 2017.

The resolution follows the historic visit by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to the Pacific in May, when he met with Forum leaders.

According to the UN’s statement on the resolution, China’s representative said the negotiation’s coordinator had failed to consider his delegation’s contributions and the concerns of other states, which is why China abstained.

Indonesia’s representative said his delegation abstained for several reasons, one of which was the resolution’s reference to the 2017 PIF communique.

Indonesia’s representative also said he regretted that one member of the Pacific Islands Forum continued to interfere with Indonesia’s domestic affairs, which is likely a reference to Vanuatu, which is the most vocal supporter of the West Papuan independence cause in the Pacific Islands Forum.Duration: 4min 19secBroadcast: Tue 6 Aug 2019, 6:00am

Source: ABC Net

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via IFTTT August 07, 2019 at 07:43AM

August 2nd 1969 – August 2nd 2019

*** 50 Years since the Act of free Choice ***

“it was just a whitewash. The mood at the United Nations was to get rid of this problem as quickly as possible, Nobody gave a thought to the fact that there were a million people there who had their fundamental human rights trampled. Suharto was a terrible dictator. How could anyone have seriously believed that all voters unanimously decided to join his regime? Unanimity like that is unknown in democracies.”

– Chakravarthy Narasimhan, the U.N. undersecretary general who handled the Act of free choice.

Indonesia claims sovereignty over West Papua with the 1969 Act of free choice. It has since been widely accepted that Indonesia’s claim to rule West Papua is based on fraud and lies and that the Act of free Choice was illegal under international law.

For a full legal analysis of the Act of free choice please read this report.
https://www.ilwp.org/…/West_Papua_and_the_right_to_self-det…

West Papua has a legal right to self determination, decolonisation and independence if the people freely and fairly choose it.

An internationally supervised referendum on independence is the peaceful and dignified solution for West Papua.

#SelfDetermination
#Referendum
#FreeWestPapua

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via IFTTT August 06, 2019 at 12:16PM

A peaceful prosperous future await us if we overcome fear!

RIP kaka Dai John Tekwie ~ Turut Berduka Cita atas berpulangnya Kaka Dai John Tekwie ke pangkuan Bapa di sorga

Tahun 1999, dua kali pertemuan saya secara pribadi dengan almarhum kk Dai John Tekwie seorang yang pernah menjabat sebagai Gubernur Sandown Province. Beliau juga adalah anak adat kampung Lido, Vanimo Propinsi Matahari terbenam Papua New Guinea.

Hari ini mendengar kepergian beliau untuk selamanya sejak kemarin dulu ke pangkuan Bapa disorga.

Kamipun turut berduka cita dan merasakan kehilangan salah satu sosok pemimpin terbaik Papua New Guinea. Aro sayang, walaupun kaka Dai pergi, secara pribadi kamipun akan mengenang semua peran beliau dalam perjuangan bangsa orang Papua Melanesia hari ini.

Dukungan besar almarhum kaka Dai John Tekwie bisa saya gambarkan sedikit disini.

Dua kali pertemuan dengan beliau saat itu tentu mengajarkan kami bahwa kaka Brother tuan John Tekwie adalah seorang anak adat yang punya hati besar mendukung Papua Barat Merdeka.

Pertemuan pertama di ruang pribadi kantor Gubernurnya di Vanimo (Pertemuan tertutup dengan almarhum John Tekwie). Pertemuan kedua di kampung Ambai alias kampung Lido sebutan masyarakat kampung Lido Vanimo karena dukungan beliau dan keluarga besar kampung Lido kepada kami saat mengatur beberapa kali pertemuan Nonviolent Training Workshop berlangsung di perbatasan Vanimo dan Port Numbay. Demikian pelayanan rohani lainnyapun beliau dan masyarakat kampung Lido memberikan dukungan yang besar senantiasa.

Tapi sayang belum berakhir perjuangan Papua Barat Merdeka hari ini. Almarhum kaka Dai John Tekwie pergi meninggalkan keluarga dan kita semua. Ada rasa suka cita tersendiri saat kita bersama waktu itu tahun 1999 di kota Vanimo. Kini kau pergi untuk selamanya meninggalkan pesan moral itu dibalik suasana duka. Pesanmu”Free West Papua adalah kerinduan kita semua”.

Aro sayang… Kamipun turut berduka-cita yang mendalam atas kepergian almarhum kaka Dai John Tekwie selamanya. Tuhan memberkati

Dokumentasi foto kaka Dai John Tekwie di pantai kampung Lido dan pelayanan rohani saudara saudari pemuda gereja Bethel Pentakosta Dok VIII dari Tim KKR tahun 1999 oleh Pdt Indra Karubaba melayani ibadah dan diterjemahkan oleh saudara Jonah Wenda di kampung Lido, Vanimo, PNG.

Source: Facebook.com

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via IFTTT August 02, 2019 at 11:33PM

Take Back PNG, Give back West Papua, Richest black Christian nation

By all means, not possible unless West Papua is self governance.

Economic prosperity in PNG is not determined by happens in Australia and New Zealand but by what happens in the ASEAN.

Australia cannot be relied on if PNG intends to become the richest black christian nation in the region, let alone the world because it has made itself become a multi cultural country and its economy thrives on multiculturism, and for Australia to support a one race, one religion, richest country in the world immediately automates thick unseen wall of offensive unspoken rejection by Australia, and all those countries that propogate and practise multiculturism.

Same for New Zealand but or both countries put together.

Therefore in order for PNG to become the richest black Christian nation, PNG must by all purpose and intent under the Prime Ministership of Hon, James Marape, the very person who personified the idealic dream…ensure West Papua is free to self governance.

Prime Minister must ensure a Melanesian country exist on the same thing piece of the Melanesian island, of a thousand tribes and lunguage, customs, rituals, chants, songs and dance from Sorong to Samarai is healthy living ornament.

Only then will be PNG have a realistic hope of being the richest black Christian nation in the world. Self Governance of West Papua is the bridge between Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand Phillipines etc…

Yet another white elephant so to speak is the Chinese influence in PNG through the world provision of its money lending.

Indonesia is concern.

China is still upset with Indonesia of the massacre of Chinese people in Makassar, Medan and the island of Lombok. Chinese traders traders of Islam religion have coming to Indonesia from 1400 BC onwards, and their presence on these Javanese resulted in these killings.

Suffice to suggest there is long standing dislike.

China dont like Indonesia per say, and to the extent that feeling is mutual, so Chinese friendship with PNG by virtue of the Exim Banks loan does not sit well with Indonesia, because if PNG asks the Chinese to flex its #SoftPowerapproach in the ASEAN community for West Papua to free and self governance, in order for PNG to attain its status as the richest black Christian nation in the world.

Indonesia prefers it is the one that provides economic reprieve to PNG, but PNG asked China instead.

Prime Minister James Marape will fail to attain his dream of making PNG the richest black nation in the the world if West Papua is not self govern.

Source: Facebook.com

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via IFTTT August 02, 2019 at 11:16PM