TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Liberation Army of West Papua-Free Papua Movement, or TPNPB OPM, issued a prohibition on the raising of the Indonesian flag in Papua on August 17, 2025, which is the day Indonesia commemorates its Independence Day. Their reason is for the education of the Papuan people.
The spokesperson of the central headquarters of TPNPB OPM, Sebby Sambom, stated that indigenous Papuans and those who reside in Papua are only allowed to raise the Morning Star flag. Sebby also mentioned that ceremonies in Papua are held every December 1.
Sebby stated that TPNPB will not launch attacks or engage in armed conflict with people who raise the Indonesian flag. OPM will only disperse the flag-raising activities if there is involvement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) in that area. "So, we urge that the TNI and Polri do not disguise themselves in order to raise the Indonesian flag in Papua," said Sebby via WhatsApp messaging application on August 2, 2025.
TPNPB has already declared conflict zones in Papua which should not be entered by non-Papuan citizens, especially the TNI and Polri. Sebby referred to nine regions in Papua, including Yahukimo Regency; Star Mountains; Nduga; Puncak Jaya; Intan Jaya; Maybrat; Dogiyai; Paniai; and Deiyai. "People from outside Papua and the TNI-Polri are not allowed to enter these regions, and the raising of the Indonesian flag is also prohibited," said Sebby.
Tempo has contacted the Chief of Information of Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih, Candra Kurniawan, and the Head of Information Center of the TNI, Kristomei Sianturi on Sunday, August 3, 2025. Questions regarding the prohibition of raising the Indonesian flag in Papua that were sent to their WhatsApp numbers have not been responded to.
In a separate interview, the coordinator of indigenous pastors throughout Papua, John Bunay, stated that the red and white attributes have not been visibly present, especially in the Intan Jaya region ahead of the Indonesian Independence Day.
However, John said that from previous years' experiences, flag-raising ceremonies for the Indonesian flag were indeed conducted in Intan Jaya initiated by the TNI and Polri. "In previous years, the ceremonies were only held at the TNI posts or police stations. Not all places held ceremonies," he said.
According to John, there are not many places in Papua, particularly in the Central Papua and Highlands regions, that hold flag-raising ceremonies due to security threats. "So, it's only in specific locations," he said.
Andi Adam Faturrahman contributed to the writing of this article.
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