With the passage of Law No.21 of 2001, the provinces of Papua and West Papua privileges regulate all of their people’s interests without the intrusion of the central government. This law was created in response to Papuan citizens’ aspirations and basic rights.
In addition to Papua, the government established legislation governing Aceh province’s special autonomy. The autonomy law’s goal is to dampen the independence movement that wants independence from the Indonesia by granting the region authority on its government.
History of Papua’s Special Autonomy
It was previously known as Irian before becoming Papua. Which Irian is an area that the Dutch nation has made the state. Because Irian was still in Indonesian territory, Soekarno, Indonesia’s first president, issued a Trikora (Tri People’s Command) on December 19, 1961.
One of the elements of Trikora is to fail the creation of a puppet state of Papua by the Netherlands, raise the Indonesian flag in West Irian, and use all of the nation’s military to protect the nation’s independence in conquering West Irian.
The fact that Irian Jaya province has joined Indonesia does not change the fact that some factions oppose such unity. The rejection movement has existed since 1960. In West Papua, Indonesia, there is a rejection movement among Papuans known as the Separatism Movement.
This separatist movement then declared Jayapura the State of the Republic of West Papua. This was subsequently followed by nine students from Cendrawasih University carrying the Free Papua Organization flag (OPM). Between 1969 and 2000, Papua remained as conflict zone.
The Indonesian government then constructed a Military Operations Area (DOM) in Papua using the OPM. For decades, the Indonesian government violated human rights in the Papuan people through the use of Hard Power.
Which we frequently refer to as military action or violence and sanctions rather than discussion. These acts of violence and abuses of human rights are the cause for putting an end to the Papuan independence movement.
Reason given West Papua Privileges
The Indonesian government’s attitude toward Papua, which continues to use military power, is seen as making the implementation of West Papua privileges a simple formality.
Although Irian Jaya has combined with Indonesia, this has had little impact on economic development and human resources in Papua, which is difficult to develop. Thus, during the reform period, the improvement and growth of several sectors in Irian Jaya became the primary focus.
It eventually became the background for the development of two policies, namely the expansion of Irian Jaya Province and the provision of special economic strength to Papua.
Before the Papua expansion law, which divided the Papua area into West Papua and East Papua, the Papua region was also known as the West Papua region. During BJ. Habibie’s presidency in 1999, he invited 100 Papuans to a discussion.
Three reasons are given by Papuan politicians for seeking independence from Indonesia;
- Illegal entry of West Papua into Indonesia
- Indonesian military commit genocide against the people of West Papua.
- The Indonesian government ignores Papuan rights to social, economic, and cultural development.
This interaction with President Habibie was responded to under the presidency of President Gusdur by offering a special status of autonomy to achieve his right to self-determination.
The passage of West Papua privileges or special autonomy in Papua over the years has sparked different controversies among Papuans. The Indonesian government’s major priority in resolving the Papua conflict remains on such a political, economic, and judicial issue.
Hopefully, after reading this article, you will have a better understanding of West Papua Previleges!