Jayapura, Jubi – The chairman said the Papua Legislative Council said President Joko Widodo’s decision to release five Papuan political prisoners during his visit in Papua earlier this year was not a solution to the the Papua issue.
Council Chairman Yunus Wonda said the release of the five political prisoners should be a start to a more lasting solution.
“The issue in Papua is more about a political issue. The release of political prisoners would not solve the Papua’s issue. The central government shouldn’t hesitate open up to conduct peace dialogue with Papua. The Papua issue would not be solved as long as the dialogue is not yet materialized,” Wonda said on Tuesday (14/7/2015).
According to him, the President Joko Widodo must obey his promise by doing a dialogue, which is already designed by Papua Peace Network (JDP). He further said the dialogue would not involve the Papua’s officials but the opposite party that has opposite ideology, whether those who are currently living in the forest or abroad.
“The dialogue would not involve the governor, Papua Legislative Council or Papua People’s Assembely. When SBY was president, I ever said whoever the president was; he could not solve the Papua’s issue if he didn’t start with the root of problems. If Aceh could have the Helsinki Pact, why couldn’t Papua?” he said.
He further said Papua has a value that the Central Government should be considered. Furthermore, the supports from Pacific countries over Papua is getting stronger although its status in MSG is only as observer. Now it’s the time for the Central Government to talk with Papuans and the opposite party.
“The Central Government shouldn’t talk with us, Papua officials, but people. About the place of dialogue, it would be up to Papuan people. They have a right but they have no courage to start and are living under the shadow of fear. Papua would remain the same if no one dare to start,” he said. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)
