TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Several Papuan figures urged president and vice president-elect Joko Widodo and Jusuf Kalla to solve past human rights violations and straighten history of Papua’s integration to Indonesia as violence may re-emerge if it is not solved. “Straighten the history first, and only then you can talk about welfare,” said Socrates Sofyan Yoman, chairman of Baptist Church in Jayapura, yesterday.
Socrates said that several Papuan people still object to military and political actions in Papua. Conflicts in Papua have always been solved using military power. He believed it would be easier for Jokowi to end the violence compared to previous leaders. “More intense dialogue is needed. Papua’s problem is not about how big or small the funds for special autonomy,” he said.
The government will be spending Rp7 trillion for special autonomy in Papua next year. According to Sofyan, the fund cannot solve the prolonged conflicts.
John Djonga, recipient of 2009 Yap Thiam Hien Award, asked the government to put all human rights violators in trial, stop violence, control vigilantism by the police and the military and appreciate the custom and culture of Papuan people. “We don’t to be victims of militaristic regime anymore,” he said.
He hoped Jokowi would reform bureaucracy and eradicate corruption, enforce the law, eliminate discrimination, provide protection, give appreciation and respect the rights of native Papuan. “One of them is by undertaking Jokowi’s mental revolution,” he said.
Andi Widjajanto, deputy chairman of Joko Widodo-Jusuf Kalla transition team, said after Jokowi’s inauguration as president, he will immediately issue a regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) about human rights to establish ad hoc human rights court so that human rights violation cases can be solved.
Meanwhile, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has proposed that the next government push for more affordable prices of basic commodities in Papua. One of them is by creating commodity production centers such as the construction of cement factory in Manokwari and development of cattle breeding. “This is a basic, real and grand program that must be carried out next year,” he said.
JERRY OMONA | REZA ADITYA | ANTARA
