KOTA SORONG, SUARAPAPUA.com — Students and communities who are members of the Papuan People’s Front (FRP) in Sorong held a peaceful demonstration against the continuation of the II volume of the country’s Special Autonomy (Otsus).
Epey Tarami, Field Coordinator of the movement said, as long as Otsus was given from 2001 until towards the end of 2021, there was no benefit, instead sufferings that the Papuan people always face.
This happened, Tarami said, because all the authority was governed by Jakarta without involving Papuans as the subject of the implementation of the Special Autonomy.
“Otsus is not on the side of Indigenous Papuan, because as long as Otsus exists it is only used by officials and the bourgeoisie in this country. So on behalf of the Papuan people who have been oppressed, we Papuan People’s Front firmly rejects Otsus volume II and condemn all forms of efforts that have been trying to extend the II volume of Otsus. The government is doing it to continue Otsus, “said Tarami to suarapapua.com after holding a demo at Ramayana Mall Klademak 2, Sorong City, Thursday (10/9/2020).
He said that in the future his party would continue to reject Special Autonomy and hold the Papuan People’s Petition (PRP), in accordance with the Papua Special Autonomy Law Number 21, article 77.
“Article 77 of the Special Autonomy Law is very clear, so we will continue to speak out against Otsus and then support the Papuan People’s Petition (PRP) action until the government really hears what the Papuan people want,” said Tarami.
Demianus Asem, Secretary of the Field Coordinator demonstration, said that Otsus cannot be seen from the amount of money given by the Indonesian government, but Otsus is seen from the sides it takes towards indigenous Papuans.
“Otsus cannot be seen from a fund given but it must be seen from all aspects because up to date women are still selling on the footpaths, there are no free education and health services for the Papuan people themselves. So with that we strongly curse and reject the extension of Otsus,” asserted Demianus.
Reporter: Reiner Brabar
Editor: Elisa Sekenyap
