Kompas - January 4, 2010
Wisdom cannot be
measured by how long one has lived...
B Josie Susilo Hardianto –
Anton Sumer sat stunned in front of the television. The news reports about the
death of former Indonesian President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid
grabbed his entire attention. "Ai, Aduh. It is fitting, that we, the
Papuan people feel sad. He was our father, the father of the Papuan people. He
also returned the name Papua [to us] again", said Anton holding his head
in his hands.
In the past, during the New
Order regime of former President Suharto, it was taboo for the Papuan people to
refer to themselves as Papuans. Gus Dur however broke down that wall of fear.
Prior to this Papua was referred to as Irian, and similarly its people as
Irians.
In those days, although
they were politically reluctant to refer to themselves as Papuans because they
were afraid of being identified with the Free Papua Organisation (Organisasi
Papua Merdeka, OPM), deep down in their hearts they were still Papuans.
"Because of Gus Dur, we were no longer afraid to refer to ourselves as
Papuans, and we were proud of that," said Yehezkiel Belaw, a young Papuan
from Paniai regency.
As president, in 2000 Gus
Dur also consented to and even provided financial assistance for the Papuan
people to hold the 2nd Papuan People's Congress. This consent was not just
highly valued. For the Papuan people, democratic space had massive impact,
particularly in terms of their self-identity as Papuans.
At the meeting, which was
attended by around 5,000 participants from all corners of Papua, they again
openly discussed the need to resolve Papua's historical distortions. They
discussed the importance of resolving human rights violations in Papua and the
neglect of basic rights, particularly in the economic and social and cultural
fields.
They saw that dialogue and
negotiations were an important step in resolving these three problems. During
the congress held in the provincial capital of Jayapura, it was also agreed to
establish the Papuan Presidium Council (Presidium Dewan Papua) that was chaired
by Theys Hiyo Eluay.
In political terms, Gus
Dur's wishes in the lead up to the 2001 New Year expressed through the words,
"I want Papua to see the sun rise from the east," had an
extraordinary impact on the Papuan people.
Papuan identity
Gus Dur also openly
re-acknowledged the Papuan people as a nation. "He not only opened up and
cultivated democratic space, created a sense of peace and security, but also
acknowledged our dignity and status as Papuan people," said Papuan
Traditional Council (DAP) General Chairperson Forkorus Yaboisembut.
Although according to
Yaboisembut, in constitutional terms the acknowledgement of the Morning Star
Flag and the son Hai Tanahku Papua (Hey Papua My Land) as symbols of
Papuan identity were extremely controversial, Gus Dur still gave it his
blessing.
The acknowledgement of
cultural expression, freedom of expression and political identity was no just
important for Papuan society, but also asserted the existence of the Papuan
people and that they should be treated as equally.
"Through his spiritual
and intellectual courage, he liberated the Papuan people from the bridle of the
authoritarian and militaristic New Order," said Yaboisembut.
Unfortunately, according to
a researcher from the Institute for Public Research and Advocacy (Elsam),
Amiruddin al Rahab, the moves pioneered by Gus Dur have not been continued.
Nevertheless, he does not dismiss the important meaning of the things pioneered
by Gus Dur in Papua.
For the head of the Fajar
Timur Higher Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Abepura, Neles Tebay, it
was this openness and democracy, supported by his spiritual and intellectual
courage, that placed Gus Dur in the position of peace maker. ”A Man of Peace,”
said Tebay.
It is not surprising
therefore that Gus Dur's departure is a huge loss for the Papuan people. In
fact they were actually in the middle of preparing a commemoration of the
designation of the name Papua and were planning to invite Gus Dur to attend.
According to Yaboisembut,
Gus Dur inspired them to struggle in and for the sake of peace. Although his
administration was very short, what he did for the Papuan people was extremely
important.
"Although physically,
it was difficult for Gus Dur to see, he had a heart that could see much further
then the physical eye," said Sumer.
Amidst the silence of a
mass to welcome in the New Year at a small church in the boarder area of Keerom
regency, rose a prayer for Gus Dur. "Thank you Gus", whispered one
member of the church community.
[Translated by James Balowski.]
