PRO-INDEPENDENCE GROUP URGES ELECTION BOYCOTT

Ilustrasi Papua Merdeka

Jayapura , 20/2 ( Jubi ) – The National Committee of West Papua ( KNPB ), a pro-independence group, is calling on Papuans to boycott the 2014 elections.

Wim Roky Medalama, spokesman for KNPB who is on a police wanted list,  said boycotting the legislative and presidential elections was a form of resistance against Indonesian rule.

“We will certainly boycott the 2014 General Election,” Medalama told tabloidjubi.com in Jayapura on Thursday (2/20). Medalama  has been on the run with the chairman of the National Parliament of West Papua, Buchtar Tabuni, since they were put in the wanted list.

“The Papuans never acknowledge that we are part of the Indonesian nation. Papua was an independent nation,” he said .

Papuans declared self-determination at the National Council of Papua on December 1, 1961, but Indonesia invaded.

“If Indonesia wants Papua to be part of Indonesia, they should have asked the people through a referendum whether they want to be part of Indonesia or not,”Said Wim .

Jakarta always argues that Papua is an inseparable part of Indonesia following the Act of Free Choice in 1969, which is considered flawed by many.

Maikel Awom, an activist of the Risen Papua Student Coalition said that they supported calls for boycotting the elections.

“Our demand is for the Papuan Legislative Council ( DPR Papua) to form local regulations on the existence of the Papuan People’s Protection on Cultural Recognition, Indigenous Customary Rights to land and the prohibition of alcohol circulation,” Awom said. ( Jubi / Mawel/ Tina )

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By : www.tabloidjubi.com