West Papua Raises A 77-meter Flag On The Coast Of Fani Island, Raja Ampat, Indonesia's Outermost Island

The government and the public unfurled the 77-meter-long Red and White flag and planted 77 flags on the coast of Fani Island, Raja Ampat Regency, West Papua (Antara/Ernes Broning Kakisina)

SORONG - The government and the public unfurled the 77-meter-long Red and White flag and planted 77 flags on the coast of Fani Island, Raja Ampat Regency, West Papua Province.

The stretching and planting of the flag on the Indonesian outer island of West Papua on the border with the State of Palau, was directly led by the Acting Governor of West Papua Paulus Waterpauw accompanied by the Commander of Fleet Command III Rear Admiral Irvansyah, Commander of Kodam XVIII/Casuari Maj. Gen. Gabriel Lema, Kapolda Inspector General Daniel Tahi Monang Silitonga .

Acting Governor of West Papua Paulus Waterpauw said the stretching and planting of the Red and White flag was in commemoration of the 77th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia in 2022.

He said Fani Island is the outermost island of Indonesia's border with the State of Palau. Previously, the island was controlled by fishermen from the State of Palau, but because of the struggle of the predecessors, it became part of the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.

Therefore, he said, the activity of stretching and planting the red and white flag shows the symbol of the state that the state is present with the power to maintain the sovereignty of the island.

According to him, this activity is also to show respect to the predecessors who have fought with blood and tears to get the independence that we enjoy today.

Through this activity, we must promise in our hearts to maintain the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia in the outer islands of West Papua.

As a child of the nation in West Papua, Waterpauw said that only one task for all parties is to fill the independence of the Republic of Indonesia with real works.

"There is no need to fight by preparing strength and so on, but our task is only one to fill the independence that has been achieved with the blood, sweat and all the sacrifices of our predecessors," he said.

Waterpauw gave an example that he was able to stand up and speak as a leader in the Indonesian nation because of the struggle of this nation's predecessors.