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

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]

Morning Star flag flew for 5 hours in Serui (westpapuamedia.info)
Unconfirmed reports of mass arrests and sweeping in Serui (westpapuamedia.info)
Photo Report: Scores of Morning Star flags flown in Serui demo, despite police objections (westpapuamedia.info)
Mass Rallies across West Papua challenge anniversary of Indonesian invasion (westpapuamedia.info)
Thousands across Papua demand UN step up to protect Papuan people: PHOTO AND VIDEO REPORT (westpapuamedia.info)

May 4, 2012 0

Mass Rallies across West Papua challenge anniversary of Indonesian invasion

Ten Thousand Defy Police bans to march; flotilla of war canoes fly banned flags

from West Papua Media and local sources

May 1, 2012

Indonesian security forces are currently preparing to disperse a mass demonstration near Serui, as tens of thousands of people take to the streets across West Papua to reject the Indonesian annexation of West Papua
on May 1 1963.

The yearly demonstration are being held by two sectors of West Papua civil resistance _ the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in Jayapura, Puncak Jaya and Sorong, and the Federated Republic of West Papua (FRWP) has organised similar rallies in Manokwari, Yapen Island, and Fak-fak. Indonesian Police have generally allowed the rallies to occur across Papua, however in Yapen, Police have banned all gatherings from occuring across Yapen, and have reportedly blockaded all marches.

According to the FRWP, Head of Police in Serui Regency, Roycke Harry Langie S.IK MH, refused permission for the Federated Republic of West Papua to hold its rally, even while citing rights under Indonesian regulation No. 9/1998 concerning free speech in public spaces.

“The Police Commander’s order not only violates Regulation No. 9, but also Article 28 of the Indonesian Constitution 1945” said Jacob Rumbiak, Head of Foreign Affairs for FRWP.

Despite this ban, over 10,000 people have reportedly gathered at Wombai Beach outside Serui on Yapen. According to West Papua Media sources spoken to by phone, Ten Canoes (large outrigger war canoes) flying Morning Star flags, full of demonstrators from outlying islands, are about to land. However the Kapolres Roycke Harry Langie, is at the time publication using a loudhailer to try to force the boats to furl their flags and Morning Star paraphernalia, though it is understood that the boat crews are refusing to do. The situation is described as tense and dynamic, with the chance for armed Naval action occuring against the war canoes. However permission has just been granted for the rally to continue until 2pm local time, when a forces dispersal would be made if not already done.

In Manokwari already about 30 morning star flags have been raised in from of the Manokwari district DAP office. Around 20 have been raised during a Long march fromm the UNIPA university campus to the DAP office. Up to 5000 people are now believed to have gathered listening to speeches and carrying on more Long marches.

Photos from Manokwari below:

No news has yet been confimred from Jayapura at this stage.

This is a developing situation – more updates as they come to hand. Please stay tuned.

West Papua Media

Unconfirmed reports of mass arrests and sweeping in Serui (westpapuamedia.info)
Journalists and foreign NGOs banned from visiting Papua (westpapuamedia.info)
Rallies calling on Ban Ki-Moon to protect Papuans to be held across Papua and Australia, on March 19 (westpapuamedia.info)
Rallies reject Indonesian status quo in Papua, and demand referendum (westpapuamedia.info)
Photo Report: Scores of Morning Star flags flown in Serui demo, despite police objections (westpapuamedia.info)
Thousands across Papua demand UN step up to protect Papuan people: PHOTO AND VIDEO REPORT (westpapuamedia.info)
Thousands cram gravesite of Theys to support IPWP (westpapuamedia.info)

May 1, 2012 0

Unconfirmed reports of mass arrests and sweeping in Serui

serui - bintang fajar aksi massa2 — 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.

Photo Report: Scores of Morning Star flags flown in Serui demo, despite police objections (westpapuamedia.info)
Morning Star flag flew for 5 hours in Serui (westpapuamedia.info)
Thousands across Papua demand UN step up to protect Papuan people: PHOTO AND VIDEO REPORT (westpapuamedia.info)
Unconfirmed Reports of 3 Foreigners arrested in Fak-fak, West Papua (westpapuamedia.info)

April 23, 2012 0

Morning Star flag flew for 5 hours in Serui

Bintang Papua,13 February 2012Serui: The Morning Star flag , Kejora, the flag of the separatists in Papua, was held aloft for five hours in Serui, district of Yapen islands on Saturday, 11 February.

The local chief of police said that this had been done by people who dont want peace and tranquillity to prevail in Serui. He also called them ‘irresponsible elements’.

The police chief, Deniel P.Dwi Atmoko, said that they were investigating the motives of those involved. ‘However, we can conclude that these people do not want peace to prevail and always engage in activities which are in violation of the law and one of things they do is to raise the kejora flag.’

He then went on to express his thanks to all those who had assisted the police and the army (TNI) in pulling down the flag. ‘This proves that the majority of people in Serui are very eager for peace. This is clear from the fact that the local people waited until the security forces had pulled the flag down.

He expressed the hope that these elements would not do such a thing again. ‘Stop doing things that clearly violate the law because this can only result in difficulties for the individuals themselves as well as for their families. We must work together to develop Serui in peace and tranquillity so as to ensure that the activities being undertaken by the local government can be achieved.’

[Abridged in translation by TAPOL]