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Gus Dur hails Papuan as democracy hero

Source
Jakarta Post - November 14, 2006

Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – Murdered Papuan independence figure Theys Hiyo Eluay was a hero who struggled peacefully to uphold democracy in Indonesia, former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid said at the leaders' grave in Sentani on Monday.

"I respected him because he was a noted figure and freedom fighter not only for Papuans, but also for the whole Indonesian people," Gus Dur said. "That's why I will continue pushing for him to be named a national hero," he said.

Papuan Presidium Council member (PDP) Taha Alhamid said Theys was a role model worldwide for people who peacefully fought for freedom.

"Figures like Pak Theys and Munir are heroes for all democracy lovers," Taha said. Munir was a noted human rights activist, who was murdered by arsenic aboard a Garuda plane en route to the Netherlands.

"For the Papuan people, Theys is a hero despite the absence of an acknowledgement from the government," Taha said.

Gus Dur was visiting Papua to accept an award from the Papuan Traditional Council for his support for Papuan aspirations while he was president.

During his term from 1999 to 2001, Gus Dur scandalized many nationalists by giving presidential permission for Papuan activists to hoist the Bintang Kejora flag, a symbol of the province's independence. An advocate of regional autonomy, he also approved government assistance of Rp 2 billion (US$210,526) to finance the second Papuan Nation Congress in 2000.

The former president is scheduled to receive the award at the Cendrawasih sports stadium in Jayapura on Tuesday.

Gus Dur was given an official welcome by top Papuan leaders after arriving at Sentani Airport at midday.

Earlier, dozens of Papuans held a religious ritual at Theys' grave, about 200 meters from the airport, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of his murder.

After visiting the grave, Gus Dur, accompanied by his daughter Yenny Wahid, laid the cornerstone for a memorial for slain independence figures at the cemetery.

Theys was last seen alive on Heroes Day in 2001 after attending a provincial government reception at the Hotel Matoa in Jayapura at 6 p.m.

Later that evening, his driver, Aristoteles Masoka, made an frantic call to Theys' house, saying the leader had been abducted. Theys was found dead in his upturned car a day later on Nov. 11. Aristoteles, is still missing.

Despite his links to the autocratic rule of former President Soeharto, Theys' was revered by many. The pro-independence movement insists he was killed because of his efforts to break the province away from Indonesia. Activists have alleged Theys' death was connected to the Indonesian security forces.

During the Monday ceremony, Aristoteles' mother, Sila Ayomi, cried openly. She said she had continued to search for her son since Theys' death.

"Pak Theys – it was clear he was killed, but my child, I don't know about his fate," she said. "If he is still alive, he would be 26 years old now," she said.

Sila said she had reported the case to the National Commission on Human Rights and the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence but had heard nothing Aristoteles is believed to have witnessed Theys' murder.

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