Support the New Autonomous Region of Papua, Kingmi Church Figures Call a Group that Rejects Not Representing All Papuans

Figures of the Indonesian Christian Evangelical Tent Church (Kingmi), Rev. Dr. Yones Wenda, S.Th., M.Th., who currently serves as Secretary of the Kingmi Church Synod in Tanah Papua, expressed his support for the formation of the New Autonomous Region (DOB) in Papua Province.

It was emphasized that the faction that rejected the new autonomous region, which had been making noise all this time, did not represent the Papuan people as a whole.
 
The Papuans who reject the new autonomous regions only benefit certain people and do not represent the people of Papua," he said in a press statement, Tuesday (20/12/22).

This can be seen when holding demonstrations that do not involve parents, youth and God's servants.
 
"I feel that the faction that opposes the new autonomous regions only acts on behalf of the Papuan people, but in fact they are not fully represented," he said.

Yones Wenda also stated that his unrepresentation of the aspirations of rejecting the DOB could also be seen by the absence of evidence of their petition signatures to reject the DOB.

"Then where did the KTP as evidence collected go, it's not clear. I question the fact that all components of society in Papua are not involved in the action against the new autonomous region. This means, if the action is true and truly represents the voice of the Papuan people, of course many will join in," he said.
 
"For those of us who are loyal to the Pancasila ideology, we feel that the aspirations of supporting the new autonomous region from the people of Papua are very important for the government to listen to. Moreover, we assess that there will be many benefits for the community, "he continued.

Related to that, his party is fully committed to voicing aspirations to support the new autonomous region to the Papua Provincial DPRP.

"We assess that with the new autonomous regions in Papua, we have Papuan children who are not working and now they have a place to work. This is a positive thing that we see," he said.

Yones Wenda also emphasized the pride of the Papuan people in Otsus, because many were helped, especially parents who could not afford school fees, health and other things that could be handled properly.

Observing the involvement of a number of church clergy in Papua who support the Free Papua Movement, Yones Wenda invited church leaders (pastors/pastors) to put more emphasis on peace-loving teachings to the congregation.

This is in accordance with the main task of the pastor as the spiritual leader of the church and in order to maintain, protect and safeguard the spiritual life of his congregation.

Yones Wenda also conveyed a message to the government that the church community (synod) has a duty to bring the people as a whole to God.

"From the Synod of the Gospel Tent of the Indonesian Christian Church (KINGMI) in Tanah Papua, I want to convey to the Government that the church (synod) has the duty to bring the whole people to God, that is the responsibility of the church," he emphasized again.

It is said, that the Church does not need to be provoked into following or even being involved in various activities that are outside the authority of the church or outside of spiritual matters, such as issues of support for the Free Papua movement or intervention regarding Special Autonomy (Otsus) which clearly fall into the realm of politics.

That attitude is not the authority or duty of the church. And as you know, Papua is part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). So the task and authority of the church is to bring the whole people to God. That is the responsibility of the church. And the churches must understand this, and the synods must know it.

The involvement of the church in providing support to rebel groups (pro-Free Papua) which often commit acts of violence against TNI/Polri officers and local civilians is very much against the teachings in our Bible.

“If the church influences society to kill people, that is a big responsibility between God's servant and God. So it is a responsibility because of the word of God, don't kill people," he said.

He also reminded the Pdt. Socrates Sofyan Yoman and Rev. Benny Giyai, Papuan church leaders and academics who are pro towards the Free Papua movement to no longer use the symbols or logos of the Four Blessings Bible which have been used so far to get assistance from the Special Autonomy Fund.

"For the use of the logo, Pdt. Benny Giay took legal procedures first. Thus, it is inappropriate for them to misuse the church logo and the Special Autonomy budget to disrupt Christians in Indonesia," he explained.

It was emphasized again that KINGMI Papua's religious and youth leaders fully support the formation of the New Autonomous Region (DOB) in Papua and support the creation of a safe and peaceful Kamtibmas situation in the Land of Papua.

"Try to live in peace with everyone and pursue holiness, because without holiness no one will see God," he urged.

Yones Wenda also asked the Leaders and the Kingmi people to serve as salt that gives a good example that prevents any disturbances against the church.

On this occasion, Yones Wenda also mentioned the need for all parties to support the legal process that was carried out by the Indonesian KPK against the Governor of Papua, Lukas Enembe.

"Law enforcement efforts against law enforcement officials, in this case the Indonesian KPK for the Gratification case against the Governor of Papua, Lukas Enembe, need to get support from all parties within the Papuan community, for the sake of creating holiness blessed by God over the Land of Papua," he concluded.

SOURCE: https://kabartifa.id/2022/12/20/support-dob-papua-figure-dinding-church-kingmi-south-group-yang-tolak-ntak-represent-all-people-papua/