Melanesia Solidarity rejects Papuan referendum on self determination

id Melanesia, Papua

Melanesia Solidarity rejects Papuan referendum on self determination

The Papuan Youth Solidarity and Melanesia Race Movement took to the street in Jakarta on Friday to reject Papuan referendum and foreign intervention in the province (ANTARA/Dok. Istimewa)

"Indonesia must not be damaged due to the act of irresponsible people. The entire nation recognizes freedom and belief and Melanesia race is not a handful of people wishing damage in this country," he said.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Papuan Youth Solidarity and Melanesia Race Movement has dismissed a call for a Papuan referendum on self-determination and rejected foreign intervention in Papua that may put the Indonesian unity on the line.

Some 300 people including Papuan youths and activists of the Indonesian Institute for Law Studies held a peaceful rally in Jakarta, Friday, to express their objection towards a referendum.

During the rally, Ismail Marasabessy demanded the arrest of people hoisting Bintang Kejora (Morning Star) flag in front of the palace.

"Indonesia must not be damaged due to the act of irresponsible people. The entire nation recognizes freedom and belief and Melanesia race is not a handful of people wishing damage in this country," he said.

The other speaker, El Hakim said Papua is an integral part of the NKRI. All Indonesian citizens must bow to the law. If anybody is guilty he or she must be brought to justice.

Meanwhile, Alan MS appealed to his brothers in Papua to be conscious of the fact that peace should prevail again in Papua. Security agencies must deal with the handful of people who do not want a peaceful Indonesia, he added.

"We must maintain the NKRI so we will be able to create togetherness," he said.