Jayapura – In Papua, the sound of gunfire is sometimes heard more quickly than the sound of school. In some villages, stories of children going into the forest carrying weapons are more common than those of children leaving with books. In such a rich land, the common people often live in anxiety: anxiety when night falls, anxiety when the streets are deserted, anxiety when bad news arrives from the edge of the village.
Amidst this situation, Hironimus Taime, a Tabi Traditional Leader from Jayapura, delivered a call that was not only strong but also full of sorrow. He addressed the younger generation of Papuans who still choose the path of arms in the name of “fighting.”
“Many of my fellow Papuans who are fighting for Papuan Independence don’t understand, or understand but force themselves to,” Hiro said.
He wasn’t speaking from an air-conditioned seminar room. He spoke as a Papuan, as a traditional leader, who has seen the wounds up close. Wounds that aren’t always visible on television. The wounds that remain in the community: children growing up traumatized, mothers harboring fear, and villages left behind because they have lived too long in the shadow of conflict.
It’s No Longer About Discourse, But About Lives
For Hiro, the debate over Papua’s status has too often been used to fuel emotions. Yet, he emphasized, Papua’s status was internationally decided long ago.
“Our Papua has been divided under international law through UN resolutions… the last of which was established by Resolution No. 2504 of 1969 after the Act of Free Choice (PEPERA) referendum,” he said.
But what he emphasized most was not just the resolution or the document. He emphasized the price paid by the people.
“Just count how many lives have been lost?” he said.
The sentence sounds simple, but it’s weighty. Because in Papua, death is often not recorded as a number. It’s recorded as a story of grief. As a home that suddenly loses a child. As a mother who stops smiling. As a village that suddenly becomes deserted.
“Weapons Are Not the Way Home”
Hiro said that armed movements have so far been following the old pattern: conventional warfare. To some, that seems valiant. But to Taime, it’s like slow suicide.
“Armed movements are conventional. The important thing is to hold a weapon and fight: shoot or be shot. That’s the same as putting your life on the line,” he stressed.
He knows that weapons give a momentary sense of “power.” But he also knows that weapons rarely bring anyone home intact. Those who return often only return with news of death. Or with long-lasting wounds that cannot be healed.
Papua Didn’t Come Later
In his narrative, Hiro Taime invites Papuans to revisit history. He emphasizes that Papuans did not simply “follow” Indonesia. Papuans have been present since the beginning of the nation’s journey.
He mentions that Papuan figures were present at the 1928 Youth Congress in Batavia, the event that gave birth to the Youth Pledge.
“History records that 27 years before Indonesia’s independence, indigenous Papuans were already speaking out for Indonesian independence,” Taime said.
For Hiro Taime, this fact is crucial. Many young Papuans have grown up with the narrative that Papua was a victim of history. In fact, in the historical record, Papuans also contributed to the nation’s founding.
“The Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) is a shared responsibility of the sons and daughters of the archipelago,” he said.
What Rifts Papua Apart Are Not Just Politics, But Social Wounds
Taime stated that the narrative of Papuan Independence since 1961 was a Dutch project. He emphasized that the long-running conflict cannot be separated from colonial roots.
“Papua Independence was created by the Dutch,” he said.
However, Taime didn’t stop there. He brought the issue to something more intimate: how the conflict divides Papuans themselves.
“Well-intentioned aid or any policy can tear society apart if we’re not careful,” Taime said in another part of his appeal.
For Taime, the conflict isn’t just about “who’s right and who’s wrong.” It’s about how society is slowly losing its sense of security.
Is Pepera Questioned? Taime: That’s a Disrespect for Customs
One of the most emphatic parts of Taime’s statement was when he responded to criticism that Pepera didn’t use the One Man One Vote system.
“If Papuans question the Act of Free Choice (PEPERA) not involving all Papuans through the One Man One Vote principle, that’s tantamount to Papuans not understanding their customs,” he asserted.
He explained that in traditional structures, decisions are indeed made by tribal chiefs. Just like the noken system in elections, which is recognized by the state out of respect for tradition.
Here, Taime seems to be saying: don’t use external perspectives to judge Papua’s decision-making.
What Papua Needs: Clean Water, Schools, Clinics
After discussing history and law, Taime returned to the most concrete things: basic needs.
He listed them one by one: decent housing, roads and bridges, markets, agriculture, fisheries, schools, clinics, community health centers, electricity, and clean water.
“Let’s build our hometown so that houses and roads, offices and schools, clinics and community health centers… clean water can reach homes,” he said.
The sentence felt like a prayer. Like an old man’s hope for his own land. A simple hope, but one that has been difficult to realize if conflict continues.
“Rather than war, it will only leave tears and sorrow,” he said.
On Investment and Customary Rights: “Don’t Let Outsiders Take It All”
Taime also reminded that Papua is indeed a target for foreign investors. Therefore, he said, customary rights holders must be smart in protecting their land.
“Papua is indeed being targeted by foreign investors. Customary rights holders must work together with the government to protect it,” he said.
He cited the example of Freeport’s social fund scheme since 1996, which later evolved into institutions like YPMAK. Although not yet perfect, Taime considered it an example that investment must provide direct benefits.
However, he made a most pointed point: everything must be managed honestly.
“Honestly manage the money to help the community,” he said.
Finally: It’s About Coming Home, Not Winning
Taime concluded his appeal with a very Papuan tone: warm, but firm. He called on all parties to make peace.
“It’s better to be aware and reconcile (make peace) to keep Papua safe and peaceful,” he said.
He wasn’t talking about winning or losing. He spoke of returning home. Returning to a safe home. Returning to a bright village. Returning to a Papua that no longer holds tears.
“God loves you all, let’s be together, love you,” he concluded.
