Regarding Papua, Manufandu: The Government is Powerless Against Lukas Enembe

A Papuan leader, Michael Manufandu, questioned the dynamics of government and leadership in Papua Province which need serious attention from the central government.

“There is an impression that there has been extraordinary neglect by the Central Government. People as citizens are not respected and taken care of properly. The governor (Papua) is left to regulate and manage as he pleases," said Michael Manufandu, yesterday.
 
For health reasons, said Michael Manufandu, the Governor of Papua cannot even be touched and nurtured because of the pretext of being elected by the people in a democratic country.

"My question is, why can't Governor Enembe be regulated?" Michael asked.

He views that security conflicts continue to occur in Papua. There are also problems with people's welfare, regional expansion, and the implementation of the Special Autonomy Law.

"It's like a wild ball passing here and there, making the new generation of Papuans always have different opinions with the government," he said.

For him, the government needs to invite senior civil servants, politicians, academics whose loyalty is still strong to the Republic of Indonesia to be able to refrain from discussing government and leadership issues in Papua.

“My question is, why is the government silent and let it seem powerless against Governor Lukas Enembe. Where is the President of the Republic of Indonesia? Where is the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs?, where is the Minister of Home Affairs, the National Police Chief and the Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces," he said.

He recounted, several decades ago in Papua, Governor Eliezer Jan Bonay was appointed in 1963, did not move and was dismissed in 1964 because he was not loyal to the Government.

Next, there was Governor Acub Zainal in 1973, and ended in 1974 after building the Governor's Office without a permit from the Central Government.

Governor Busyiri in 1982, also dismissed after serving a year, and Freddy Numberi (1998), replaced later after facilitating 100 Papuans to meet President BJ Habibie at the Merdeka Palace asking to separate from the Republic of Indonesia.

"For the sake of the people, unity and integrity, Freddy Numberi was replaced, how come this can't be done?" he said.

According to the Papuan Civil Service Ambassador, the central government must take firm steps according to the legislation against the Papuan government.

"If central government officials understand and know the government, my questions must be answered," he said.

Michael Manufandu is an Indonesian bureaucrat and diplomat. He was once assigned as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to Colombia in South America.

SOURCE: https://nusantarainside.id/2022/01/11/juala-papua-manufandu-government-tak-berdaya-hadapi-lukas-enembe-2/