The Significance of The West Papuan Flag – Maybe you are a little confused why West Papua has a flag. Even though only a country can have a flag as their identity and symbol.
Apparently, this West Papua flag indicates a certain meaning for the people. To avoid misunderstandings, find out more about the significance of the West Papuan flag here.
The Significance of the West Papuan Flag
The journey of the West Papua flag from start to finish actually gives a certain meaning and does not mean that it wants to outperform Indonesia.
However, over time, this meaning has changed and until now it has become a feud between the Indonesian state and the people of Papua. Here’s the complete information!
1. The Beginning of the West Papua Flag
The people of West Papua have often raised the flag of West Papua. Especially on December 1, 1961 which is the day when the people of Papua declared their sovereignty from the Netherlands.
The rules for raising this flag are also stated in the 2001 Papua Special Autonomy Law; the flag is a symbol of identity and may be flown.
However, over time, the raising of the Morning Star flag, which was initially permitted on the grounds that it was “only” a cultural symbol for the Papuan,
Is now increasingly leading and strengthening to become a symbol/identity of the desire for the disintegration of the Papuan people from the Republic of Indonesia.
2. The Meaning of West Papua Flag
The Morning Star flag is a silent witness to how West Papua history was carved. This is a symbol of an independent country that wants to separate itself from the Republic of Indonesia.
So, legally, the existence of the flag is not accepted in Indonesia’s official political discourse. Moreover, many West Papuans fly the flag simply out of annoyance and express their grievances at Indonesia’s crumbling governance.
Not only in one field, but covering economics, politics, education, and so on which have been going on for the last 60 years.
Papua’s Reasons for Wanting Independence
The People’s Tri Command (Trikora), established by President Soekarno on December 19, 1961, was established to free Papua from Dutch colonial rule.
Since May 1963, Indonesia had been partially in control of Papua; however, with UN action (together with the US), Indonesia finally gained full control. A
Pepera Referendum (Determination of People’s Opinions) was held in 1969 by the Indonesian government in compliance with the directives of Article 17 of the New York Agreement
However, there are allegations that the implementation of the Pepera referendum was manipulated. By the Indonesian side and the results were not fair. Indonesia mismanaged Papua in the events that followed.
The existence of Freeport, whose travels were marked by reports of human rights abuses committed. Against Indigenous Papuans by Indonesian security personnel.
This is what creates the cause of the numerous clashes in Papua over the secession.
That was information relating to the significance of the West Papuan flag. Which was also the basis for the decision of the people of Papua to separate them from Indonesia.
Hopefully, as time goes by, the hearts of our brothers and sisters in Papua will be opened. So that they can return to the Republic of Indonesia.
