Aida Ulim, Jayapura – Lecturer at the Sekolah Tinggi Filsafat Driyarkara, Dr. Budi Hernawan, said that February 26, 1999, is an important milestone in modern Papuan political history that is beginning to be forgotten. At that time, the late Tom Beanal led the "Team of 100" to meet the third President of the Republic of Indonesia, B. J. Habibie, at the State Palace in Jakarta to discuss the future of Papua.
This meeting is often regarded as a historic moment of dialogue between Papua and the central government at the beginning of reformation era.
"Why isn't February 26 commemorated as a historic day for Papuan nation? [In fact] that event was a crucial turning point in modern Papuan political history. After 27 years have passed, through the era of the Papuan Presidium Council (PDP) and various public discussions, the younger generation is beginning to forget the meaning of that date," said Budi Hernawan.
The statement was delivered by Budi Hernawan while giving his remarks at the launch and discussion of the three-volume Tom Beanal book series at the Paroki Kristus Terang Dunia Hall, Waena, Heram District, Jayapura City, Papua, on Thursday (26/02/26).
He said that it is possible that many young Papuans today no longer remember or even know the significance of February 26,1999.
In fact, that event was not merely a political moment, but also became a turning point that gave rise to a long process of reflection, which was later formulated under the term memoria passionis.
It is this last type of memory that, according to him, is relevant for Papua: a memory that does not stop at nostalgia or trauma but exposes today's reality and opens a path toward the future.
"We are not merely remembering, but bringing that history back to life," he said.
Budi Hernawan also quoted a message from Papuan figure Benny Giay, who stated, "Drink water from your own source."
The message is understood as an invitation for Papuans to write their own history reflectively, not merely to post or reshare narratives on social media.
According to Budi Hernawan, Indonesia is among the countries with the largest number of social media users in the world, yet it remains weak in cultivating a culture of reflective writing.
"This is happening in Papua, where people tend to share more than to critically explore and document," he said.
Budi Hernawan also questioned whether it is enough to simply remember Tom Beanal, or whether it is necessary to revive his spirit and courage. For Tanah Papua is part of a long history that continues to repeat itself.
"History is not merely an old story, but a memory that demands responsibility today and the courage to face the future. Are we simply remembering, or are we bringing it back to life?" he said.
In his reflection, Budi Hernawan highlighted three current realities in Tanah Papua. First, Tanah Papua has been divided into six provinces, each with its own governor, probincial legislature, Papuan People's Assembly (MRP), and large bureaucratic structure.
Second, Tanah Papua is surrounded by investment projects, from the Bird's Head region to south Papua, or from Sorong to Merauke, with vast plantation concessions, industrial crips, and national strategic projects stretching across the land.
Third, Tanah Papua is heavily surrounded by security forces. The number of Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri) personnel in Tanah Papua is said to reach around 83,000, of whom approximately 28,000 are combat troops. Meanwhile, the number of members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) is estimated at around 1,438.
"In comparison, the force is about 58 times grated. It is like David versus Goliath."
Another respondent, the Director of the Democracy Alliance for Papua (AIDP), Latifah Anum Siregar, said the book about Tom Beanal is very rich because it involves many writers and views him from various perspectives.
"Tom [Beanal]'s role as a teacher, NGO activist, and customary leader was united in one person, so that his thoughts and struggle were able to reach across different spaces," Anum Siregar said.
She said the pollical situation in Tanah Papua changed after the abduction and murder of Papuan leader Theys Hiyo Eluay on November 10, 2001. The event left deep trauma.
When Theys Eluay was buried, Tom Beanal stated that such a death was not an isolated incident, but part of a series of violence that frequently occurs in Tanah Papua.
According to Anum, that statement now feels increasingly relevant, as armed conflict and civilian casualties continue to rise in various areas.
"Violence is present in our own yards, in every corner where we are. This is not a beautiful story, but a bitter reality," she said.
Anum Siregar added that the idea of dialogue once promoted by Tom Beanal in the 2000 Papua Congress resolution should be reemphasized as a peaceful path that remains relevant today.
She reminded that Tom Beanal's messages of struggle must be read, understood, and woven together again by the younger generation, so that they become concrete action and collective consolidation for the future of Papua. (*)
Source: https://jubi.id/pacnews/2026/the-unforgotten-political-history-of-west-papuan