Visit The Regent's Office, The Sougb Tribe In West Papua Hands Over The Morning Star Flag

Handing over of the Bintang Kejora Flag from a resident in Teluk Bintuni, Saudara Yunias Menti/ Antara

JAKARTA - Representatives of residents from the Sougb Tribe in Wesiri Village, Bintuni, West Papua, handed over the Morning Star flag as proof of loyalty to the Republic of Indonesia to the Military Resort Commander (Danrem) 182 Jazirah Onim (JO) Colonel Inf Yuda Medi Dharma.

The flag was handed over by representatives of the residents after the opening of the 111th TNI Manunggal Building a Village (TMMD), at the Teluk Bintuni Regent's Office, West Papua, reported by Antara, Tuesday, June 15.

“We immediately received the handover of the Morning Star Flag from a resident in Bintuni Bay, Brother Yunias Menti. He voluntarily came to the Regent's Office and handed over his Morning Star flag, because he feels he is living in Indonesia," said Colonel Inf Yuda as quoted from the written information on the XVIII/Kasuari Kodam Information received in Jakarta

Korem 182/JO appreciates the attitude shown by the representatives of the Sougb Tribe, said Yuda. The reason is that there is only one official flag in the Republic of Indonesia, namely the Red and White Flag.

"Hopefully his actions can inspire and evoke a sense of nationalism among other Bintuni Bay residents and West Papuans at large," said Danrem.

Meanwhile, in the same statement, Yunias Meti said the Morning Star flag was a legacy from his parents.

“The flag was owned by my father, then you gave it to me, because I am the eldest child. Currently, I live in the land of the Republic of Indonesia. For that, I chose to live in peace in Bintuni Bay,” explained Yunias.

In that activity, Yunias also received the Red and White flag from the government and the TNI, which was handed over directly by the Regent of Teluk Bintuni Petrus Kasihiw.

The Morning Star flag is considered by some to be a symbol of separatism, which is often associated with the Free Papua Movement (OPM).

However, the flag and the symbol of the morning star or morning star, according to other groups, are symbols of the culture that developed in Papua and West Papua. The 4th President of the Republic of Indonesia Abdurrahman Wahid alias Gus Dur is one of the figures who considers the flag a symbol of the culture of the people in Papua and West Papua.