Tag: Morning Star Flag

Flag-flying across West Papua planned for 1 July; Police are ready to respond

Bintang Papua, 26 June 2012

The OPM has announced that it intends to fly the Morning Star flag on July 1, the anniversary of the creation of the TPN, the military wing of the OPM. The flag flying across the territory of West Papua will be accompanied by a fireworks display.

The announcement was made by Lambert Pekikir, general coordinator of  the TPN/OPM from his base, Victoria, on the border between West Papua and PNG. He said that troops of the TPN are preparing themselves for the flag-flying which will continue from 1 – 3 July. The OPM will also read out a statement which says among other things that the UN must accept responsibility for all the violations that have occurred in West Papua.

He also said that civilians throughout the territory, Papuans as well as non-Papuans,  are advised to stay at home so as to avoid any unnecessary things from happening.

In response to the flag-flying plans, the police force in Papua have announced that they are making preparations for this,  and will do everything possible to ensure that no Morning Star flags are flown. A spokesman said that Papuans should not play round with the flag, like children flying kites. The police say that they will take the persuasive approach  and have no intention of using firearms in anticipation of the flag-flying. Police spokesman, AKBP Yohannes Nugroho Wicaksono, appealed to  those groups who intend to flag the flag not to do so.

The police chief has issued an order for no flags to be flown but if any flags are nevertheless flown, they will be pulled down without the use of violence. He also said that in advance of 1 July,  there will be sweepings  [of people’s homes] and patrols by the police will be intensified.

[Translated by TAPOL]

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TPN-OPM deny responsibility for recent shootings

JUBI, 12 June 2012The leader of one of the OPM group which is based along the border with PNG insists that the OPM is not responsible for the series of terror shootings that have occurred around Jayapura recently.

The OPM leader, Lambert Pekikir, said that the Indonesian government is always trying to demonize the OPM  He said that they (the OPM) are well aware of the recent spate  of shootings since shots were fired at a German visitor some weeks ago, having read all about it in the local media. ‘Like others, we too are very confused with these developments.’ He said: ‘We have written to the government and to all relevant governmental institutions that we are not responsible for these acts of terror.’

He said the OPM as making preparations to fly the Morning Star flag on 1 July this year to mark the organisation’s anniversary but this is in no way connected with any acts of terror. ‘Such actions are simply not on our agenda,’ he said.

The NGO, ELSHAM-Papua said that these acts of terror  are part of a project by the government to stigmatize indigenous Papuans as being people who are spreading anarchy  and willing to murder anyone.

He drew attention to the fact that the latest series of shootings have occurred at a time when the international community is showing greater attention to the violations of human rights in Papua. He pointed to the fact that the targets of these latest shootings  were all foreigners or immigrants from elsewhere in Indonesia.’There is no reason to believe that the military wing of the OPM – the TPN-OPM – would have the slightest reason to shoot ojek drivers  or schoolchildren.

Ferdinand said that  the authorities want to convince the international community that the TPN-OPM want to kill immigrants. They have made it clear that they are waging their struggle peacefully and will not allow themselves to pursue the path of violence.

‘We once again call on the  police to thoroughly investigate these acts of terror and reveal who it is who is behind them so as to put an end to these attempts to demonize the Papuan people.’

[Translated by  TAPOL]

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POLICE CHIEF: ‘I WILL ARREST OPM PEOPLE WHO CAUSE DISTURBANCES’

Bintang Papua, 23 May 2012

Jayapura: In response to the announcement by the TNI/OPM Revolution Co-ordinator, Lamberth Pekikir, that they intend to fly the Kejora – Morning Star – flag  on 1 July, the anniversary of the OPM and also when Indonesia’s President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visits  West Papua on 25 June, the police chief of Papua, Inspector-General Bighman Lumban Tobing said that the police force would take firm action.

He said that the general situation in Papua is general speaking  ‘conducive’  though there have been some security disturbances  recently in Puncak Jaya by elements who intend to break away from the NKRI – Unitary Republic of Indonesia.

The police chief said that all components in society  including the media are responsible for keeping the situation in Papua conducive.As the hosts of the National Raimuna Xth event [which the president will attend]; we are jointly responsible for maintaining a conducive atmosphere, ensuring that the news from Papua will be about tranquillity in the area.

The chief of police also said that they would take firm action against any group that attempts to cause security disturbances in Papua. He said: ‘I will arrest and take firm action against any group that intends to cause disturbances in this place. ‘

He said that there were no plans to bring in additional troops and they will rely on the organic TNI troops and the police force now in Papua to keep order. He repeated his conviction that all components of society will ensure that the National Raimuna event will proceed smoothly.

The Raimuna event will take place in Waena and will last from 25 June till 1 July and will be officially opened by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,
Ten thousand members of the youth organisation Pramuka all 16 – 20 years old and of Pandega, 21-25 years old  [the Indonesian boy scouts movement] from PNG, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei will also be taking part.

[Abridged in translation by TAPOL]

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OPM to fly Morning Star flags for three days across West Papua

West Papua flag

JUBI, 3 May, 2012
The TPN/OPM [National Libration Army/Organisasi Papua Merdeka] is planning to fly Morning Star flags throughout the territory of West Papua for three days from 1 – 3 July this year, said Yusak Pakage, chairman of the Street Parliament . He said that the State of West Papua was proclaimed on 1 July 1969 but was disbanded  by Indonesia on the orders of President Soekarno when he proclaimed the People’s Three Commands (Trikora).
He went on to say that various institutions in West Papua such as the DPRP (Provincial Leislative Assembly), the chief of police and the MRP (Papuan People’s Council) have been notified of this plan. as well as church leaders, student organisatons and the Governor of Papua, along with a statement of their views.’Flags will be flown for three days and the authorities will be notified. We will seek assurances regarding the security situation from the chief of police and the armed forces,’ said Pakage. He went on to say that they hoped that no one would become victims during these events.Pakage also expressed the hope that everyone now living in the Cenderawasih Homeland, indigenous Papuans as well as migrants, would preserve an atmoshere of harmony and avoid being provoked by issues spread by irresponsible sources. ‘We hope that there will be no loss of life during this event.’

Flags will be flown in public places around midday  for three days running. He added that the TPN/OPM would guard the streets where the Morning Star flags are being flown.

‘The aim of this plan it to remind people that we continue to exist,’ said Pakage.

When the head of the public relations office of the Papua Police was asked whether he could confirm this plan, he said he was unaware of  it. ‘I will check later on. At the moment, I am in a meeting,’ he said briefly.

[Translated by TAPOL]

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Unconfirmed reports of mass arrests and sweeping in Serui

Mass flying of banned Morning Star flags, Serui, April 20, 2012

1300 West Papua Time – April 23, 2012

West Papua Media – MEDIA ADVISORY

Reports from credible West Papua Media sources have surfaced from Serui, on Yapen Island, West Papua, this morning (23/ April) that a major sweep by Indonesian security forces in currently underway against people involved in a massive demonstration against Indonesian rule last Friday, April 20.  see https://westpapuamedia.info/2012/04/21/photo-report-scores-of-morning-star-flags-flown-in-serui-demo-despite-police-objections/

According to sources, armed Indonesian police and military have conducted rolling raids on motorbikes across villages including Mantembu and surrounding hamlets outside of Serui town, seeking to arrest all those who were involved in the mass flying of the banned Morning Star independence flag.  It is not known if the troops belong to the Australian trained anti-terrorist Detachment 88 or POLRI Gegana (Motorbike anti-terror commando) units,  but those being targeted were simply engaging in peaceful acts of free expression – guaranteed under Indonesian Law.

All contact with local sources has been lost, and West Papua Media is concerned for the safety of our stringers.

This information is unconfirmed to West Papua Media’s normal standard of confirmation, however we believe the information is credible.

This is a developing situation.  Please stay tuned.  More information as soon as we receive and verify it.

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