Beware of OPM Provocations That Are Inhibiting Efforts to Accelerate Papuan Development

By: Kezia Sanggei

The provocations carried out by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) Free Papua Organization (OPM) pose a serious challenge to efforts to maintain security and accelerate development in Papua.

In the midst of the government and security forces’ efforts to create conducive conditions, TPNPB OPM continues to spread propaganda and provocative narratives that disrupt regional stability and hinder development progress.

For a long time, security forces have fought hard, sacrificing their lives and energy to maintain peace in Papua. On the other hand, the government is also working hard to accelerate development in this region, from infrastructure to public services. However, all these efforts were disrupted by the provocative actions of TPNPB OPM which continued to spread divisive issues, especially through social media and the internet.

One of the main narratives often raised by this separatist group is that Papua is not part of Indonesia. This narrative is clearly a provocation aimed at eroding public confidence in Papua’s integration with Indonesia.

In fact, since the Determination of Popular Opinion (Pepera) in 1969, the majority of Papuans have chosen to join Indonesia, and this result has been recognized internationally by the United Nations (UN).

The Indonesian government, as a follow-up to the Pepera, granted special autonomy status to Papua, as a form of recognition of the cultural and historical diversity of this region. This policy has brought many positive changes in Papua, ranging from economic improvement to infrastructure development. However, TPNPB OPM continues to undermine these efforts with acts of violence and propaganda.

Papuan community leaders themselves, including traditional and religious leaders, firmly reject the existence of TPNPB OPM. They stated that this group only brought backwardness and instability to the region they called “A Little Heaven that Fell to Earth”.

Yusak Weyo, a community leader from the Kopkaka Large Tribe, Yahukimo Regency, is one of those who strongly opposes OPM’s acts of violence and propaganda, which often cause trauma and fear among civil society.

TPNPB OPM’s actions are not only limited to the real world, but also spread in cyberspace. They use social media to spread hoaxes and propaganda, creating chaos and confusing society. This increasingly complicates the task of security forces who must maintain regional stability while facing physical attacks and information warfare.

Security forces in Papua, who work hard and often risk their lives, continue to use a humanist approach in carrying out their duties. They are not only tasked with maintaining security, but also trying to improve the welfare of the local community. Unfortunately, these efforts are often tainted by propaganda spread by TPNPB OPM on social media.

The existence of the separatist movement in Papua is actually the result of colonial efforts since 1963 to divide the Papuan people and the Indonesian government. By exploiting separatist sentiment, the colonialists attempted to control natural resources in Papua. This history must be understood by the younger generation so that they are not easily influenced by the propaganda spread by TPNPB OPM.

The Papuan people must remain alert to provocations and propaganda spread by TPNPB OPM. By remaining united and supporting the efforts of the government and security forces, we can ensure that Papua remains part of a peaceful and prosperous Indonesia.

Don’t let hoaxes and provocative narratives influence our minds. Together, we can maintain peace and accelerate development in the Land of Papua.

*) Law student at Yapis University, Papua