Congress II of West Papua was held in 2000. We cannot set aside this event from the fourth President of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid, as it took place during his reign. Besides, the President himself took so much part in the realization of the congress.
In the beginning, many Jakarta elites disapproved of the idea. However, that disapproval means nothing, as the President of the Republic of Indonesia decided the opposite. To ensure that the event ran well, he helped with the funding. Some sources mentioned it was IDR 1 billion. Gus Dur Diminta Jadi Saksi Kasus Makar Papua Merdeka – Nasional Tempo.co
This action drew various responses. Those Jakarta elites saw the action as weird. Meanwhile, many Papuans put a lot of respect toward the President. Many of them think of this action up to date, especially after some Papuans’ discrimination some time ago.
At that time, Gus Dur explained that the action was taken due to he considered all Papuans as his brothers and sisters in nationality and humanity. The measure was proven to be a success in building trust between Papuan and the Indonesian government.
On December 20, 1999, the President visited West Papua, which was named Irian Jaya at that time. The visit had two objectives. Those were having a dialogue with various Papuan stakeholders from different levels and watching the first sunrise in 2000.
The Dialogs
The dialogs took place in the Papuan Government meeting room in Jayapura. Although the initial plan only invited representatives of each group, many people came along. Abdurrahman Wahid invited the representatives of Papuan to deliver their demands and objections toward the Indonesian government.
Some of them voiced their demands of liberation from Indonesia and no longer trusted the Indonesian government. At the same time, the rest complimented the government along with their demands.
Responding to their demands, Abdurrahman said, “I would change Irian Jaya into Papua.” He further reasoned that the name was ugly. He explained that the name derived from an Arabic word meaning naked. When the Arabian people first landed in Papua, they saw the people there naked. Thus they called the area Irian.
He stated the second reason. “In Javanese tradition, when a kid was sick, the parents would change his/her name hoping that the kid got well.” He also mentioned that Slamet was a popular alternative, but he chose Papua instead. However, Ahmad Suaedy found out that the two reasons were made only to calm two groups of people. They were Moslems and Javanese people who had the potential to do some protests.
Gus Dur laid the two vertical conflicts in Papua as a citizenship issue. The key principle of citizenship is equality. In approaching this issue, Gus Dur took measures to have dialogs, grant community affirmation, attend various meetings, and make agreements. (Gus Dur dan Kongres Rakyat Papua (nu.or.id))
Also read: West Papua and the Government Prolonged Political Tension Eased? (westpapuaupdate.com)
Results of Congress II of West Papua
Besides having a dialogue, the congress results in a declaration of the Papuan people. As many as 600 people attended the event. They came from 29 regional West Papua National Committee (KNPB) and seven consulate KNPB of Indonesia.
The declaration resulted in the election of the new cabinet of Central KNPB. With the new cabinet, they decided to fight for their goal to be politically independent. To achieve their goals, the committee called for:
- They would mobilize the public to join them in Civil Disobedience Movement. The movement was considered a Papua National Movement.
- They would ask all Papua people to re-recognize the West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB) as the only military force in the area.
- They would affirm Papua political body as a representative and participatory democracy tool for Papuan people.
- They would support the unity of coordinator diplomates of the United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) at the international level
- Congress had elected the new cabinet of Central KNPB. (Ini Isi Deklarasi Hasil Kongres II KNPB | Suara Papua)
A Response on the Validity Status of the Congress
The Indonesian government, after Gus Dur, considered the congress was invalid. It was due to the absence of people who supported Indonesia and Papua integration. However, the validity of the congress was proved by political observer George Junus Aditjondro.
Aditjondro stated that the absence was only a matter of mass psychology. He highlighted that the event resembled Trisakti Shootings. If one supporter of Soeharto showed up during the tragedy, s/he would be killed.
He reasoned that various groups and individuals of Papua, as well as Papua diaspora people, Australia, and Europe, were invited to deliver their opinion in the congress. Those people who supported the integration of Indonesia and Papua also attended the congress.
He saw that the government’s action of not acknowledging the congress as normal. He said all rulers would act the same. To maintain sovereignty, he proposed that all Papuan and Indonesian armies should be disbanded. Besides, Papuan guerrilla should be disarmed. There should only be the Indonesian National Police in West Papua to maintain order and security of the area. (George J. Aditjondro: Kongress II Rakyat Papua Adalah Sah (watchindonesia.de))
Also read: The Infantry Battalion Raider 323 doing a Mass Treatment – West Papua Update
