UMMAT DAILY ■ A number of traditional leaders from Kampung Doyo Lama, Waibu District, Jayapura Regency, raised a giant red and white flag on the top of Tungkuwiri hill on Tuesday (1/12/2020) morning.
The head of the Great Doyo tribe, Aleks Yapo, said that the raising of the red and white flag was a symbol of rejection of December 1, which was claimed by a group of people as the anniversary of the Free Papua Organization (OPM).
"The flying of the red and white flag this morning is a symbol that Papua is part of the Republic of Indonesia which has become independent on August 17, 1945, so there is no day of independence other than that," he said to reporters in Sentani, on Tuesday (1/12) morning.
He said that December 1 was not the day of independence as claimed by a number of parties, but was the month to welcome Christmas.
"December 1, is not independence day, but as a month that brings peace to Christians because it will welcome Christmas," he said.
To the younger generation, Aleks Yapo advised to always maintain the unity and integrity of the nation. In line with that, Action Coordinator Bas Tungkuboy explained that the raising of this flag was to ensure that the situation in Papua on December 1 was safe and peaceful.
"We want to convey that December 1 st is not a frightening specter for the community. Every year there are issues that are spread that cause unrest in the community, "he explained.
"Therefore, we want to say that December 1 was not what was feared. But it is the beginning of the month to welcome Christmas for all Christians, "he continued.
Bas Tungkuboy also asked groups that are still against ideologies to come to their senses and come back together with the government to build a better land for Papua in the future.
"For my brothers and sisters who are still across, let's go back and together we build this Papua better safely and peacefully. We are all part of Indonesia, "he pleaded. (*)
