Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – Former political prisoners raised the separatist bintang kejora (morning star) flag Monday at the Papua People's Council in Jayapura to protest the failure of seven years of special autonomy for the province.
"We say special autonomy has failed," said protest leader Sem Yaru. "If there isn't any improvement, we'd rather demand independence."
The three men and two women hoisted the flag, associated with the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM), on a flagpole at the council building.
The protesters also spoked for around 15 minutes in the council yard. They distributed pamphlets proclaiming "Papua doesn't believe in Jakarta", "Special autonomy has failed" and "Papua demands independence at all cost".
Sem said the flag was a cultural symbol for Papuans, so they had not violated any laws.
The protesters were escorted out of the council compound after their speech, by a 60-strong contingent of Jayapura Police and Papua Police Mobile Brigade officers. They were then taken to the Jayapura Police headquarters.
"The council was not scheduled to meet with these demonstrators," said council spokesperson Angganeta Wally. "They just handed us a notice, but the council leaders are busy working on other things today."
Jayapura Police operations head Adj. Sr. Comr. Dominggus Rumaropen said police had broken up the demonstration because the protesters did not have a permit from the police.
"They didn't give us notice that they'd be holding a demonstration today, so we had to break up the unlawful gathering," he said. "They're currently being questioned by police."
The flag-raising incident, punishable as treason under existing laws, did little to disrupt daily activities in Abepura, Kotaraja and other areas.
Previously, the Manokwari District Court sentenced 11 people to eight months in jail for flying separatist flags in the regency on March 3 and 13, 2008.
The Papua Customary Law Council has drafted a special regulation recommending the bintang kejora be used as the provincial symbol, and has submitted the draft to the Papua People's Representative Council.