With the Independence Day of Indonesia is upon us, the Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, officially installed the Indonesian Flag in the land of Merauke, South Papua Province.
“For this program, I chose the Eastern Part of Indonesia, and came directly to Merauke District. Tomorrow (8/13), the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, who also the indigenous people of Papua, Wempi Wetipo, will lead the event in Banda Aceh City. It shows that Papuans could also lead in Sumatera, while me myself as Sumatrans could lead an event in Papua,” adds Minister of Home Affairs.
The statement from Tito symbolized that Papuans could lead Indonesia.
From the most eastern part of Indonesia, Tito conveyed that realizing the development of Indonesia is not through the human resource or the natural resource. But, through the security of the state. Without a sense of security, none would come or managing its natural resources.
Furthermore, he said that the distribution of 10 million of Indonesian flag will also be implemented in East Java on Sunday (8/14). He continued that the agenda in Merauke is part of representation that Merauke is part of Indonesia and the real implementation of Unity in Diversity.
Other than symbolically shows that Merauke is part of Indonesia, Merauke is also played an integral part in the independence of Indonesia. In Merauke our national heroes, that eventually becomes the one who lead the independence of Indonesia was exiled by the Dutch in Digoel. One of the national heroes that was exiled in Digoel is Moehamad Hatta or also known as Bung Hatta.
The symbolical and historical value of Merauke was implemented in the distribution of 10 million of Indonesian flags as an effort to foster nationalism and state’s unity.
The symbol and the historical value should also be the encouragement for us to keep moving forward. The Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, reminds us that all state apparatus in expanding the new autonomous region of South Papuan Province, should be in union and solid.
The union of leaders is very important due to the initial work in the new province (from expanding new districts to new village) is not an easy task. The initial work is much harder than continuing the work, thus the solidarity and unity of the leaders is very important.
The Miinister of Home Affairs have an expectation for the next leaders of Merauke, that is the acceleration in improving the education. The investment in human resources should be realized as soon as possible and he hoped that there will be free education in Merauke soon. Then, he also hoped there will be a new scholarship for the people of Merauke and Papua.
Later, it wouldn’t be impossible that, if today sons and daughters of Papua have already become the ministers of Indonesia, in the future we would have a new President from the eastern part of Indonesia.