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Irian Jayans call for independence
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By regional analyst Kieran Cooke
As pro-independence groups grow increasingly active in regions of Indonesia, some are prophesying the break-up of the world's third most populous nation.
Now Jakarta is facing increasing calls for independence in the most easterly province of Irian Jaya.
It seems the Indonesian authorities are fighting an ever more powerful political brush fire.
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Hundreds of people have died in fighting between rival religious groups in the Maluku or Spice Islands and calls for independence in Aceh grow stronger by the day.
Now the pro-independence Free Papau Movement or OPM in Irian Jaya has organised demonstrations against Indonesian rule and, in defiance of the authorities, has raised its flag across the territory.
Though there have been no reports of trouble, hundreds of extra Indonesian troops and police are believed to have been flown into the already heavily militarised province.
Autonomy offer
Indonesia's new president, Abdurrahman Wahid, has talked of offering Irian Jaya autonomy. The OPM says this is not enough - it wants full independence.
Thousands attended the rally in Jayapuru |
What is not in doubt is the existence of widespread resentment among the native population of what's seen as Jakarta's often repressive rule in the province.
In the middle of last year, at least 11 people were killed and more than 50 injured when the military opened fire on a group of independence protesters. Several pro-independence leaders have spent years in jail.
Rich mineral wealth
Western New Guinea, as Irian Jaya was formerly known, was given self-rule by the Netherlands in 1961.
Indonesia moved into the territory in 1963 |
A short period of self-government ended in 1963 when Indonesia moved into the territory. The takeover received the tacit support of the United States and other major western powers who were anxious to maintain Jakarta's help in what was seen as the global battle against communism.
But since then, the OPM claims Jakarta has remorselessly plundered the territory of its rich mineral wealth and timber resources.
Multinational companies operate some of the world's biggest mining projects in the province. The proceeds of such enterprises flow to Jakarta and elsewhere, says the OPM, and very little is invested in infrastructure, education or health in Irian Jaya.
Epidemic
Last year, thousands of people are believed to have died in the province as a result of drought and a malaria epidemic.
There is also strong resentment about the way Jakarta, particularly during the long rule of former President Suharto, settled people from other parts of Indonesia in the territory.
Of the province's total population of about two million, nearly 800,000 are settlers from elsewhere - mainly poor farmers from Java and from Bugis in South Sulawesi.
These immigrants not only form a different racial group: they are Muslims, while the majority of Irian Jaya's native Melanesian population describe themselves as Christians.
Jakarta insists that talk of the break-up of Indonesia is exaggerated. But as calls for independence grow from groups spread throughout the vast Indonesian archipelago, the security forces will have an ever more difficult job on their hands, trying to put out these separatist fires.
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See also: |
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01 Dec 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Morning Star flies in Irian Jaya |
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09 Nov 99 | SPECIAL REPORT |
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The fragile archipelago |
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19 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Indonesia rules out Aceh independence |
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30 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Indonesia withdraws troops from Moluccas |
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01 Dec 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Timor leader returns home |
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Internet links: |
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Guide to Irian Jaya |
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Friends of West Papua |
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Free Papua Movement |
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