The International Community Supports Papua as part of the Republic of Indonesia

Papua is the easternmost island of Indonesia. The international community also recognizes Papua as an inseparable part of Indonesia. The claims of separatist groups wanting to be independent from Indonesia are considered far-fetched.

As a friendly country, New Zealand emphasizes that it supports Indonesia's sovereignty including Papua to remain part of the Republic of Indonesia, New Zealand also explains that a handful of individuals from their country who express support for Papuan independence are referred to as mere opinions.

Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand Tantowi Yahya said that New Zealand has always supported Indonesia's sovereignty, they always respect Indonesia's territorial areas from Sabang to Merauke.

Mahfud MD also emphasized that New Zealand is a friendly country of Indonesia which strongly supports the integration or territorial integrity of Indonesia, including strongly supporting the issue of Papua as part of Indonesia.

He also added that support from New Zealand regarding the integrity of Papua as part of the Republic of Indonesia is needed not only politically, but also constitutionally. This is to maintain what has become an international decision. Because international law has stated that Papua is a legal part of the Republic of Indonesia and all areas that have become a legal part of it, it must be defended by the country concerned in any way.

Mahfud also clarified the alleged issue of human rights violations in Papua which had been developing so far. On one occasion, he explained to members of the New Zealand parliament that what happened in Papua was a separatist movement.

Indonesia has a law that guarantees the state's right to take security-related measures. Mahfud emphasized that if there are allegations of violations that have occurred, it is the effect of horizontal conflict between groups.

We need to know that Papua is an integral part of Indonesia since the meeting of the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence (PPKI) on August 18, 1945, so that after Soekarno-Hatta proclaimed Indonesian independence, on August 17, 1945. Papua region is generally an area rich in biodiversity, with storms. natural resources, ethnicity and language.

From the geopolitical position of Papua, it is bordered by countries that have potential global economic power, starting from the Philippines in the north, then spreading to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, to the Pacific islands and the American continent in the east while facing Australia in the south.

However, in reality the condition of the Papua region is still not fully developed, this is due to the unstable social - security conditions due to the continued development of separatist group movements in the region.

Even the group that wants Papua to separate from Indonesia, often gets involved in a shootout with the TNI / Polri apparatus, this security disturbance has caused the development of various sectors to be hampered.

Meanwhile, the Papuan people also did not lose their enthusiasm in conveying their loyalty to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. They consciously reject the referendum and foreign intervention on the Papuan issue that can divide the brotherhood and unity of Indonesia.

Until whenever Papua is part of the Republic of Indonesia and cannot be separated. All citizens must obey the law and if anyone is guilty they must receive a sentence in accordance with the applicable law.

NKRI and Pancasila are final and irreversible, it is an obligation for all nations to protect Indonesia from all attempts at division.

Last September, a number of Papuan residents living in various regions took to the streets and declared that they would not separate from the Republic of Indonesia. Therefore, they hope for the support of all parties so that the Earth of Cenderawasih will soon be peaceful again.

The Alliance for the Concerned People for Papua when holding this peaceful demonstration was nothing but a form of support for the Papuan people as countrymen and homeland.

His party emphasized that Papua is part of diversity which must be preserved and maintained for its cultural noble values. The value that can unite the regions of the archipelago from Sabang to Merauke.

They also emphasized that there is no desire of the Papuan people to want to separate themselves from the NKRI. Basically, the people of Papua are people who love peace and do not like commotion or riots, let alone divisions.

Therefore, we should maintain the spirit of Indonesian unity to protect the Papua region so as not to separate from Indonesia, especially with the support of friendly countries and even the indigenous Papuan people themselves who remain firm so that Papua will continue to join the Republic of Indonesia.