The Plan for Commemorating the Day of Racism on August 16 is a Provocative Existence of KNPB

The emergence of the commemoration of the day of racism in Papua cannot be separated from the events that occurred in Surabaya and Malang in 2019 which were then followed by riots in a number of points in the Papua region. The incident that claimed many victims occurred close to the anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia. Departing from this incident, it triggered a number of opposition groups to use the racism incident as a commemorative moment which they hope will be remembered every month. In 2021, one of the Papuan separatist groups, the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) claimed as well as appealed to the Papuan people that every August 16 was commemorated as the day of racism. The invitation was also welcomed by members of the Papuan People's Petition (PRP) who then unilaterally declared August 16 as the day of Indonesian racism against the Papuan people.

Now, it's the middle of August. A number of small ripples re-emerged in uploads on social media. KNPB through its chairman, Warpo Wetipo and International Spokesman Victor Yeimo coherently explained the invitation to commemorate the day of racism on 16 August. They persuasively try to convince the reader to take part in the warning. However, in his invitation he also mentioned the provincial expansion policy. They still issue a cynical and distrustful assessment for the sake of the group's mission so that the community no longer supports the policy.

Warning of Racism as Commodity of Existence of Separatist Groups

No one wants the so-called racism incident in Surabaya and Malang in 2019 to happen again, wherever it is. In the context of society, the event which then caused many victims and losses should not need to be a celebratory commemoration. An event that is negatively charged should be a reflection as well as an evaluation so that it does not happen again in the future. Not with a warning that has the potential to evoke emotions for some of those previously affected.

It is necessary to be aware that invitations under the guise of warning only serve as a medium to mobilize the masses, which are then infiltrated with certain agendas, mainly related to the situation of separatist groups such as KNPB and OPM, who feel stifled by the expansion policy which has the potential to limit their movement. On the other hand, the existence of the PRP group which also stands in line to reject the expansion policy as well as the separatist groups also has its own agenda to infiltrate the issue of its demands in the momentum of commemorating the events of 2019.

The Need for Comprehensive Understanding of Racism in Papua

The mention of the term racism is related to colonialism and capitalism. Colonialism was initially driven by superiority. Some people think that colonialism is a culture. In the context of the racism that occurs involving the Papuan people, it is important to understand how the condition of Papuan racism is historically and structurally. It can be mapped that the sources of conflict in Papua consist of historical issues and political identity, development that is considered a failure, marginalization and discrimination, and past violence.

There are stereotypes that are often attached to Papuans such as lazy, drunkard, and others. The label later became the fuel for persecution as happened in Surabaya in 2019. Then, when they voice their political rights it is often seen as a threat. This is driven by an approach with a defense and security perspective.

If we are observant of the conditions in the Papua region, then one of the efforts to solve the problem can be done by emphasizing the importance of egalitarianism for Papua. The new generation must be able to imagine a more egalitarian Papua. We can learn from other countries so that a group that has experienced racial and structural discrimination can be equal in the future.

One of these efforts emerged when the government launched a policy of provincial expansion. This also answers the negative opinion of the KNPB international spokesman, Vicktor Yeimo, who thinks that the Otsus policy and expansion will only marginalize the community. Even though it has been clearly stated repeatedly that this policy opens up opportunities for people in Papua to lead their own territory in accordance with local wisdom. Every opinion expressed by the KNPB is nothing more than a concern for the fate of the group when the government is trying to accelerate the progress and welfare of the Papuan people.

Support from Several Parties to Papua New Guinea Policy

Until now, the expansion policy continues to be processed by the central government by involving considerations from a number of parties, including the Papuan people. One thing that must be known is that the division of territory in Papua is a mandate and implementation of Article 76 of Law Number 2 of 2021 concerning Special Autonomy (Otsus) for Papua. Law Number 2 of 2021 is a lex specialis. When other provinces were subjected to a moratorium on expansion, Papua Province received special treatment with the expansion of three new autonomous regions. The expansion of the three Papua New Guineans gives a special affirmation to indigenous Papuans (OAP) by incorporating special regulations in the field of state apparatus, including the formation of ASN filling of around 80 percent of the OAP.

The coordinator of the Archipelago Advocates Movement (Perekat Nusantara), Petrus Selestinus, also explicitly stated his full support for the formation of three new provinces in Papua through the New Autonomous Region (DOB). According to him, the division is very necessary because the geographical area of Papua is very wide, in order to facilitate the government in public services. By dividing into several provinces and regencies/cities, this will accelerate development, open up new job opportunities that can be filled by Papuan sons and daughters. Because the expansion or new autonomous regions of an area is a model approach to accelerate development acceleration in the region, as well as an entity in geographical, political, economic, social and cultural unity.

SOURCE: https://time.online/2022/08/10/9625/