SUARA PEMBARUAN DAILY
Minister for Defence and Security/Armed Forces Commander TNI General Wiranto: Raising of Flag other than the Red and White an Act of Rebellion
Jakarta, 7 July
The Minister for Defence and Security/Armed Forces Commander TNI General Wiranto warned that the raising of a flag other than the Red and White in any region or province of Indonesia where demonstrations were occurring would be deemed an act of rebellion (makar). The Armed Forces (ABRI) would not tolerate such an act and would take firm action.
“What does it mean if there is a demonstration and a flag other than the Red and White is raised? It means the breaking up of the integration and unity of the nation. It means rebellion, that the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia is no longer recognised,” TNI General Wiranto said in response to reporters’ questions following formalities at the handing over of the position of Chief of Staff of the Air Force (TNI Angkatan Udara) from TNI Marshall Sutria Tubagus to TNI Vice-Marshall Hanafie Asnan on the apron of the Haji Terminal at Halim Perdanakusuma Airforce Base, Jakarta on Tuesday (7/7).
Continuing, he called for calm in connection with the events in Irian Jaya saying that it was important for all parties not to make rash judgements. “This is a national matter, with important significance for the sustainability and long term future of our nation. We cannot tolerate unilateral actions endeavouring to foster visions other than the unity and integrity of this nation of ours,” asserted the Minister.
“If there is a movement raising a flag, a flag that is not the Red and White, this, to ABRI, constitutes treason for ABRI and for the whole nation. It is an attempt to undermine loyalty to the government, (pengingkaran) and one that we must put a stop to!” he reiterated.
Returning to Normal
The situation in Irian Jaya, especially in the towns of Jayapura, Biak and Sorong, following the rebellious acts of demonstrators last week leading towards demands for secession from the Republic of Indonesia and independence for the territory of Papua, by Tuesday (7/7) had begun to return to normal.
Meanwhile, in Wamena, Jayawijaya there were demonstrations demanding de-integration which were judged by Commander, Military Area VIII/Trikora TNI Major General Amir Sembiring to be of a scale approaching rebellion (makar).
Pembaruan correspondents in Jayapura reported on Tuesday (7/7) that demonstrations were continuing in Sorong where approximately 3,000 employees of the plywood company PT Hendrison Iriana were demonstrating for an increase in the regional minimum wage (UMR) and meal allowances.
The situation in Biak has returned to normal today, Tuesday, since the crowd who had raised a flag on the PDAM water tower was dispersed by security forces this morning. Shops are beginning to open as usual, even if only the door. Public transport vehicles are moving around the town. Troops are still on guard duty in all quarters.
In Jayapura, people are resuming normal activities, shops are opening up and many people are shopping. The streets are returning to normal, with emergency lanes created by various forms of blockading no longer in place. This is with the exception of the area in front of the Regional House of Representatives building (DPRD Tk I Irian Jaya) where the road encircling the Taman Imbi is still blockaded by security forces with barbed wire barriers .
In all quarters of Jayapura town troops are still on guard, with tight security around the DPRD office buildings. According to Miltary Area VIII/Trikora Information Chief Lt. Col. Herry Risdianto, the town is still under Phase I Alert status.
Wamena
From Wamena it is reported that about 600 people from several parts of Jayawijaya District on Tuesday (7/7) morning crowded into the District Administrative Offices (DPRD Tk II Jayawijaya) waving the flag of West Papua and declaring their aspirations that Irian Jaya be declared de-integrated.
The demonstrators said that they would not leave the building before their hopes had been heard by the Regional Government, ABRI and the Jayawijaya Local Government administration. If they were not granted a hearing they would destroy property and light fires etc.
A spokesperson for this action Y M Menai (60) stated that he was prepared to give an assurance, if necessary in writing, that he would calm the crowd and that they would not proceed with the destruction if their flag could be flown until 6:00 pm East Indonesian local time. The Jayawijaya District Consultative Council (Muspida Tk II) is still now considering the matter.
The Commander, Military Area VIII/Trikora TNI Major General Amir Sembiring told Pembaruan in Wamena on Tuesday morning that this action by the crowd was bordering on rebellion. For this reason he would be issuing a warning. If this was not heeded he would be forced to take firm action. However, according to Sembiring, the military would try to adopt a persuasive approach to avoid bloodshed.
Pembaruan sources in Biak report that on Monday (6/7) afternoon a crowd of people representing 13 villages in West Biak demonstrated at the Biak Numfor Local Government (DPRD Tk II) Offices where they were received by Military Sub-Area 173 Commander, Inf. Col. F X Agus Edyono, SIP, the Biak Numfor District Chief (Bupati), Amandus Mansnembra, and DPRD Chair Sumertha Ayub.
These demonstrators carried Red and White flags, signs and banners. There were messages like “I love Indonesia” and “We the people of Biak oppose the Papua Merdeka Separatist Movement”.
Minimum Wage Demands
In the town of Sorong the situation is generally under control and safe, and activities in the town are returning to normal. This was stated by Sorong Area Police Chief, Lt. Col. Pol. Drs Sugiyono when contacted by telephone on Tuesday (7/7) during the day. At the same time he admitted that there was always the possibility of a critical situation arising and, for this reason, troops were still placed in various parts of the town as a precaution.
As well, according to the Police Chief, there was another delicate situation in the thousands of employees demonstrating at the plywood company PT Hendrison Iriana located about 50 kilometres from the town of Sorong in the Arar industrial zone. “We are worried that there are certain elements who are capable of exploiting the demonstrations, and causing undesirable developments,” said the Police Chief.
Information received from sources in Sorong reveals that the demonstration of about 3,000 workers are demanding an increase in the Regional Minimum Wage and meal allowances. When this news was received these matters were still unresolved.
Not Confirmed
Meanwhile, the academic head (Rektor) of Cenderawasih University (Uncen) in Jayapura, Ir F A Wospakrik MSc, has stressed that the Uncen campus as a government seat of learning was not an appropriate place for activities in support of a separatist movement and the like, aiming to disrupt unity and integrity.
This was even more the case if activities like the free speech forum, which led to the recent unfortunate incident with casualties, were to be joined by parties from outside and not students of Uncen itself. The incident was deeply regretted.
This was stated by the Uncen Rektor in a press conference in Abepura on Monday (6/7), referring to an incident which occurred on the Uncen campus at the conclusion of the free speech forum. The Rektor had returned from Jakarta only on Sunday (5/7) morning.
He stated that he had been in Jakarta to attend a working meeting concerning State University Entrance Examinations (UMPTN) at the Ministry of Education and Culture. But because of the incident he had returned immediately to Jayapura. On his arrival he had held an urgent closed meeting with the students on the same day.
In opening the meeting, the Rektor had apologised to the reporters for the beating and terrorisation suffered by journalists Ruba’I Kadir from Gatra and Linda Korwa from Suara Pembaruan at the hands of students as reported in several newspapers. The attacks had occurred when the journalists concerned were performing their duties in covering the free speech forum on the Uncen campus.
In responding to reporters’ questions about the conduct of the free speech forum itself, Wospakrik said that no permit was issued by the Uncen Administration. According to Uncen procedural rules the students were required to apply for permission from the administration. It was not to be assumed that because the Rektor was away it was no longer necessary to apply for permission. The Assistant Rektor II as Duty Rektor and the Assistant Rektor III Student Services were available. “I have checked with my two Assistant Rektors, and confirmed that no application was made,” he said. (E-2/139/069)
Last modified: 7/7/98
Translated 7/6/13: JG
