Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are two countries that actually have never been one. It’s different from Timor Leste, which was once allied with Indonesia. Papua New Guinea is a state that is located at the eastern tip of Indonesia. It is directly adjacent to Papua province. Although Papua is not as large as Indonesia, Papua also consists of various cultures and languages.
Papua New Guinea’s independence was obtained on September 16, 1975. It happened after a fierce battle in World War II between Japan, America, and Australia. Today, the only country that adheres to a constitutional monarchy system is part of the British Commonwealth. The general governor represents a higher position in Papua. The governor general is then accompanied by the prime minister.
Why Did Indonesia and Papua New Guinea Never Merge?
Indonesia recognizes the entire territory of the former colonial rule of the Dutch East Indies as its sovereignty. Papua New Guinea was not included from the beginning. It was never part of the Dutch East Indies’ power in the east. Before World War I, the island of Papua separated into three major powers; namely, half the island in the west belonged to the Netherlands; half in the east was divided again by the British in the south; and Germany in the north.
In the colonial era, the Dutch East Indies colonialism played a major role and spawned the concept of one Indonesian nation. The entire colony of the Dutch East Indies was the first foundation of what is now Indonesia. As heir, Indonesia has no right to have a legal claim over the area of the former Dutch East Indies. This fact could be the main reason why Papua has never affiliated with Indonesia before.
Bilateral Relationship Between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
The relationship between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia began in 1973. This relationship continued to improve until today. The Papua New Guinea government has consistently supported the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. They strictly prohibit the activities of members of the TPN group or the Free Papua Movement (OPM) in the Papua New Guinea region.
Every year, Papua New Guinean security forces strictly instruct the raising of the Morning Star flag at the OPM anniversary commemoration ceremony. The raising officers are a group of Papuan hardliners in Papua New Guinea. At regional forums such as the Pacific Island Forums Melanesian Spearhead Group, the Papua New Guinea government has always rejected the agenda for discussing OPM.
These two countries have very good relations. It is clear by the increase in mutual visits between government officials and non-government parties. The visit was to improve various fields, such as politics, economy, socio-culture, defense and security, and education. It was marked by the visit of the Head of State, PM Michael Somare, to Indonesia. The visit is to attend the Coral Triangle Initiative in Manado on May 12, 2009.
The World Ocean Conference
In the framework of the World Ocean Conference, held in Bali on December 6-7, 2008, the Government of Papua New Guinea sent a delegation to attend the conference. The the Government of Indonesia visited Papua New Guinea. He also the visited of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. He entourages to attend the CTI in Papua New Guinea on March 10–12 2009.
In early March of this year, the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marape, called Indonesia a very important country. Since official diplomatic relations in 1976, Indonesia has always been there and ready to help Papua New Guinea. The relationship between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea is not just a diplomatic relationship, but also a form of brotherhood between the two neighboring countries.
