Jayapura, Jubi – Papuan students joined in the Action Committee declining the Special Autonomy extension in Papua held a protest in front of the Ministry of Home Affairs Office in Jakarta.
“Students decline the special autonomy extension. Therefore, we held a protest in front of the Ministry of Home Affairs Office today,” the protest coordinator Eto Rumpeday told Jubi.co.id by phone on Tuesday (14/7/2020).
According to him, the Special Autonomy from the beginning has never been the Papuan people’s aspiration. Instead, it reflects the interest of the central government in Papua.
“Papuans never wanted the Special Autonomy because this proposal came from Jakarta.” He said.
Therefore, Papuan students condemn Papuan elites who are fighting for the Special Autonomy phase II in Papua. “We firmly condemn the elites who acted on behalf of the Papuan people to continue the special autonomy for the second period,” he said.
“We want a referendum. It’s a must, not a bargain. Thank you,” Rumpeday ended the conversation.
In the meantime, the former political prisoner Abrosius Mulait who joined the protest warned the Papuan and Jakarta elites for not forcing Papuan people to perceive their agenda.
“Papuan elites, please stop to intervene in the special autonomy extension. Let people choose whether they want this special autonomy to be continued or not,” he told Jubi.co.id while in the crowd.
Moreover, he said by letting Papuan people choose will allow them to evaluate whether the Special Autonomy has fulfilled their rights on politics, economy, education, and health or not.
“If so, we can say it as objective. Let people decide whether the Special Autonomy failed or succeeded, ” he firmly said.
Both Mulait and Rumpeday stated the Indonesian People’s Front for West Papua also joined the demonstration. (*)
Reporter: Benny Mawel
Editor: Pipit Maizier
