Jayapura – The Second Vice Chairman of the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) from the traditional sector, Max Ohee, responded to the issue that has resurfaced in the community regarding the commemoration of May 1. He emphasized that the narrative claiming this date as Papua’s annexation day into the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) is a hoax and a form of public deception spread by irresponsible parties who do not understand history.
Max Ohee, who is also the son of the late Mr. Ramses Ohe, a historical figure and member of the Act of Free Choice (Pepera) in 1969, explained that Papua’s involvement in the NKRI is the result of a legitimate historical process recognized by the international community.
“The Netherlands no longer had authority since 1961, according to the UN decision, and handed over Papua to Indonesia,” he said.
He added that in 1969, through the Pepera mechanism involving 1,026 representatives of the Papuan people, a unanimous decision was made to join Indonesia. Previously, on May 1, 1963, the Red and White flag was raised in Papua as an official symbol of this region’s integration into the NKRI after the Netherlands left.
“This process is legitimate and documented in official communications between the Indonesian government, the Netherlands, and the United Nations. Therefore, re-discussing Papua’s political status today is a step backward,” Max Ohee emphasized.
Furthermore, he invited groups that still doubt the history of Papua’s integration into the NKRI and young generations to understand the correct history and not be easily provoked by negative narratives.
“May 1 should be commemorated as a day of national unity. Before that, our country’s territory was not yet fully united up to the eastern border in Papua,” he said.
He also revealed that on the upcoming May 1 commemoration, the names of fighters involved in the Pepera process would be announced as a form of respect for their services.
“May 1 is not annexation day but the day Papua returned to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” he concluded.
