Nabire Indigenous Peoples Institution Rejects Demonstration for New Autonomous Region of Papua 14 July

The community and traditional leaders of Nabire reject the plan for a simultaneous demonstration against the New Autonomous Region (DOB) of Papua which will be held on July 14, 2022.

The rejection of the demonstration was conveyed by the Nabire Indigenous Community Institution (LMA) which assessed that the demonstration against the new autonomous regions to be held simultaneously was inappropriate. Because many people, especially in Nabire, accept the regional expansion (DOB) which has been approved by the DPR RI.

Moreover, at a meeting with Regional Heads throughout Papua together with Commission II of the DPR RI in Jayapura some time ago, they had unanimously accepted the expansion of Papua Province. “We, the natives of Nabire, do not support demonstrations against DOB, in any form because we see that the demonstrations that are often held do not meet legal standards. And again they did not provide a solution to the government about what they wanted," said Secretary of LMA Naabire, Gerson Ramandey, Tuesday (12/7/2022).

Furthermore, LMA as the representative of the Nabire community firmly asked all major parties from other regions not to provoke them. In addition, respecting the wishes of the indigenous Nabire community for development. “We, the indigenous people of Nabire in the coastal area, especially the seven tribes, want peace. We want to be safe and we want to build our territory. We don't want other people to come to Nabire to demonstrate,” he said.

According to Gerson Ramandey, the people who are going to hold the demonstration should take action in their original territory, and not create problems in Nabire Regency. “Those who come from other areas. If you want a demonstration, please express your opinion in another district where they are located and they are registered as legal citizens there," he said.

LMA Nabire appreciates the government for providing democratic space for the Papuan people, including the aspiration of rejection. However, he said, the demonstration of rejection that was carried out was not accompanied by a concrete solution. “The demonstrations that we have seen so far have never provided a solution to the government. Just giving a slogan but there is no solution to provide a balancing effect in the development process," he concluded.

SOURCE: https://time.online/2022/07/12/8516-2/