Violence And Political Impasse In Papua

The sources of the Papua conflict are grouped into four sets of issues. First, is the problem of the marginalization of indigenous Papuans, and the discriminatory impacts on them resulting from the economic development of, political conflicts in, and mass migrations to Papua since 1970. To respond to this problem, an affirmative policy of recognition must be developed to empower indigenous Papuans. The second issue is the failure of development, particularly in the fields of education, health, and people's economic empowerment. This requires a new paradigm of development, focused on improving public services for the welfare of indigenous Papuans in the villages. The third main problem is the contradictions that exist between Papuan and Jakartan constructions of political identity and history. This problem can only be settled through dialogue, along the lines of the dialogue that was conducted for Aceh. The fourth issue is accountability for past state violence toward Indonesian citizens in Papua. For this, a road to reconciliation must be cleared, on which courts of human rights and the disclosure of the truth are the means of choice for law and justice to be upheld in Papua, for the victims and their families in particular, and all Indonesian citizens of Papua in general. The above four issues and agendas can be woven together to form a mutually interrelated policy strategy for comprehensive long-term resolution of the Papuan conflict. The atmosphere of Reformasi, and the existence of the accommodative Law No. 21/2001 on Special Autonomy (UU Otsus), a responsive central government, as well as the very large size of Papua's budget, lead the LIPI team to have faith that the problems of Papua can be resolved with justice, peace and dignity.

The sources of the Papua conflict are grouped into four sets of issues. First is the issue of the marginalization of indigenous Papuans, and the discriminatory impacts on them resulting from the economic development of, political conflicts in, and mass migrations to Papua since 1970. To respond to this problem, an affirmative policy of recognition must be developed to empower indigenous Papuans. Second is the issue of the failure of development, particularly in the fields of education, health, and economic empowerment. This requires a new paradigm of development, focused on improving public services for the welfare of indigenous Papuans in the villages. Third is the issue of contradictions between Papuan and Jakartan constructions of political identity and history. This problem can only be settled through dialogue, along the lines of the dialogue that was conducted for Aceh.Fourth is the issue of accountability for past state violence toward Indonesian citizens in Papua. For this, a road to reconciliation must be cleared, on which courts of human rights and the disclosure of the truth are the means of choice for law and justice to be upheld in Papua, for the victims and their families in particular, and all Indonesian citizens of Papua in general.The above four issues and agendas can be woven together to form a mutually interrelated policy strategy for comprehensive long-term resolution of the Papuan conflict. (Back cover)

This book is with a contemporary focus. Author, Dr. Max Gross’s purpose is to use history to explain today’s Islamic insurgencies in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines and to offer perspectives for the future. Muslim Archipalego’s unique contribution is that it brings together in one reference a mass of information on the insurgencies in Southeast Asia. The country accounts are detailed and thorough as to events, organizations, dates, and participants. The chronological context provides Dr. Gross the opportunity to give insights about historical casualty. His accounting highlights the interaction of the insurgencies within Southeast Asia and their international connection outside the region. The detailed presentations in the chapters on Indonesia and Philippines are especially fruitful. Included in this nearly 280 page book are detailed four-color regional maps, charts, and historical photos spread throughout the text. An extensive bibliography and index are included.

Southeast Asia continues to beckon policymakers and scholars alike to revisit its history in spite of the tomes of appraisals already written, deconstructive or otherwise. Because of a significant presence of Muslims in the region, and particularly in the wake of 9/11, it invariably attracts the attention of foreign powers drawn by the specter of terrorism and focused on rooting out radical Islamist groups said to be working with al-Qaeda. Dr. Max Gross has written an impressive account of the role of Islam in the politics of Southeast Asia, anchored by a strong historical perspective and a comprehensive treatment of current affairs. The result is very much a post-9/11 book. The origins of Jemaah Islamiyah and its connections with al-Qaeda are carefully detailed. Yet, unlike much of the post-9/11 analysis of the Muslim world, Dr. Gross's research has been successful in placing the phenomenon of terrorism within a larger perspective. While recognizing that al-Qaeda's influence on regional terror networks remains unclear, it behooves us to be reminded that, regardless of the nature and extent of the linkages, to dismiss terrorism as a serious threat to security would be na ve to the point of recklessness. The Muslim Archipelago is a profoundly Islamic region, and Jemaah Islamiyah is only a small portion of this reality. The attention Dr. Gross pays to ABIM in Malaysia, of which I was a part, and the civil Islam movement in Indonesia, of which the late Nurcholish Madjid was a principal spokesman, is greatly appreciated. Those unfamiliar with the background and role of the traditional Islamic PAS party in Malaysia, as well as the Darul Islam movement in Indonesia, will find the author's account highly beneficial. The MNLF, the MILF, and Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines, as well as the various Islamic movements in southern Thailand, are also carefully explained.