For more than three centuries, many countries have colonized Indonesia, including the Netherlands. The colonization compelled Indonesian citizens to fight against them for their nation to be free of colonization and completely independent.
Surprisingly, many national heroes fought against the invaders in Indonesia. They are from various parts of Indonesia, including West Papua. This means that the east of Indonesia is also a big part of Indonesia’s independence.
National Heroes from Bumi Cendrawasih
Bumi Cendrawasih, or people knowing them as West Papua, has a lot of things to be proud of, such as the national heroes in the list below:
Frans Kaisiepo
1993 was the year where Frans Kaisiepo became the national hero from Papua. On December 19, 2006, he was immortalized in the IDR 10,000 bills. Frans Kasiepo was bon on October, 10th 1921 in Wardo, Biak.
He was the one who founded Partai Indonesia Merdeka on July, 10th 1946. Besides, as an Indonesian delegate, he also participated in the Malino Conference in South Sulawesi. It implies that he has a big role in Indonesia.
Silas Papare
Another national hero from Bumi Cendrawasih is Silas Papare, who was born on December, 18th 1918, in Serui, Yapen Waropen. During the Allied and Dutch colonization following World War II, Silas Papare was assigned to the Allied army as sergeant Persteklas.
Silas Papare’s ambition was to end the Dutch regime in his ancestral lands and keep them independent. Silas died in Serui and was named an Indonesian Hero on September 14, 1993.
Marthen Indey
Marthen Indey is also a national hero who comes from West Papua. In September 1993, Marthen Indey was named a National Hero. Marthen was born on March 16, 1912, in Doromena, Papua, as Soroway Indey.
His name was used as the name of the military hospital in Jayapura. He took the name Marthen after his baptism.
He was once dispatched to New York to participate in the negotiations that resulted in the New York Agreement, under which Irian Jaya became a province of Indonesia. Marthen Indey died on July 17, 1086, in Jayapura.
Johanes Abraham Dimara
On November 8, 2010, Johanes Abraham Dimara was named a National Hero. On April 16, 1916, he was born Arabel in Korem, North Biak, Papua. Dimara was adopted as a child by Elias Mahubesi, an Ambon police officer when he was 13 years old.
Dimara, who joined the TNI and served as chief of the West Irian Liberation Organization, was apprehended by the Dutch Royal army in 1954.
He was deported to Digul before being released in 1960. Johannes Abraham Dimara died on October 20, 2000, at the age of 84, in Jakarta.
Machmud Singgeri Rumagesan
Another national hero is Machmud Singgeri Rumagesan, who will be named a National Hero in 2020. He was born on December 27, 1885, in Kokas and became regent at 21.
Machmud Singgirei Rumagesan led the Revolutionary Tjendrawasih Movement of West Irian after being released from prison in 1953, one of the resistances carried out.
He led a movement to assist the Government of the Republic of Indonesia in seizing and fighting for the independence of West Irian from Dutch colonialism.
The Dedication of National Heroes from Bumi Cendrawasih
Those national heroes contribute to the independence of Indonesia by their dedication. The dedication can be as follow:
- Built Partai Indonesia Merdeka
- Built Partai Kemerdekaan Indonesia Irian (PKII)
- Built Badan Perjuangan Irian
- Ended Dutch colonialism in Papua
- Made a move against the Dutch actively
- Carried out the ceremony of raising the red and white flag and singing the Indonesian national anthem
- Participated in the negotiations that resulted in the New York Agreement, in which Irian Jaya joined Indonesia
Those national heroes from West Papua are really important for Indonesia because they also have many roles for Indonesia, like heroes from other provinces. This means that Bumi Cendrawasih people are also a part of Indonesia and participate to make Indonesia better.
