Malang/Jakarta – President Joko Widodo's plan to visit Papua for Christmas has been labeled the "worst Christmas present" by a group of students protesting about the shooting of five young civilians in the province earlier this month.
Joko is facing mounting calls from Papuans to abandon his plan to celebrate Christmas in the troubled eastern province, after security forces opened fire on about 800 peaceful demonstrators, including women and children, in the town of Enarotali in Paniai district earlier this month.
Five protesters were killed and at least 17 others – including elementary school students – were injured, according to a report from Human Rights Watch.
But Joko is sticking steadfast to his plan, despite calls from prominent Papuan church leaders to stay in Jakarta due to his muted response to one the worst acts of state violence in years.
Yustus Yekusamon, a coordinator of Friday's protest in Malang, East Java, said the group "rejected" Joko's planned visit. "This is the worst Christmas present from Jokowi's regime," Yustus told tempo.co, referring to Joko by his nickname.
Yustus, who was joined by about 30 other students, said military actions in Papua had lead to the deaths of many Papuans. The group demanded Indonesia withdraw military and police forces from the region.
There have been prolonged tensions between Papuan civilians and security forces in the restive province since Indonesia annexed Papua in 1969. Indonesia has a strong and increasing military presence Papua and West Papua to counter a long-simmering independence movement. Christmas is 'haram'
Meanwhile, Joko's plan to celebrate Christmas has also come under fire from hard-line Muslim group the Islamic Defenders Front, or FPI. The group, which is known for violent rallies and raids on commercial establishments, says the president should not congratulate Christians at Christmas.
"It's haram for Muslims to congratulate those celebrating Christmas. And President Jokowi is not an exception," Misbahul Anam, chairman of the FPI Consultative Assembly, told Tempo.co on Friday.