Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – The widespread raising of the outlawed separatist Bintang Kejora flag in Papua, even during Monday's Independence Day celebrations, was branded as a form of discontent voiced by the local people over the "unfair and ineffective development" in their restive province.

Papuan community leaders said the development programs had failed to directly affect local people's lives.

"It expressed the people's disappointment, because they are aware of the large special autonomy funds, but fail to see any development, or, (they see) development is not proportional to the amount of funds received," said respected Papua communal leader Fadal Al Hamid, adding the Bintang Kejora flag-hoisting incidents were common during the special autonomy era.

Law enforcement against people raising the Bintang Kejora, or the morning star flag, said Fadal, was ineffective because despite the 20-year stiff sentence given to Yusak Pakage and Filep Karma, such incidents still prevailed. "The government should look at the core issue and avoid punishing people," he asserted.

The core of the problem, said Fadal, was the people's welfare, and the special autonomy status which was also aimed at improving the people's wellbeing, but ended up stifling the demands for independence.

However, the people at large have never enjoyed the positive effects of special autonomy despite being implemented for the past eight years. "The outlawed flag-raising is just the tip of the iceberg, not the essence of the problem," he said.

Fadal urged the administrations, from the regency and provincial to central levels, to give room to dialogue by heeding the basic aspirations of Papuans.

"The government should try to solve the problem at its core, if the flag-raising incidents continue, and for example hold a dialogue with the people. It should stop saying that raising the flag is a matter of national security that should be handled by security forces," he said.

Fadal commended Vice Regent Keerom Wagfir Kosasih who said he would hold a dialogue with local figures over the Bintang Kejora flag-raising incident in Wembi in July. "As long as people remain poor and they know special autonomy funds are abundant, such incidents will prevail," said Fadal.

The special autonomy funds for Papua, he added, went toward projects focusing on the interest of a number of people. Papua will always be regarded as unsafe, and thus will be allocated funds for security, if the flag-raising incidents continue.

A 2001 law on special autonomy in Papua has been implemented since 2001, followed by the disbursement of special autonomy funds, equivalent to 2 percent of the national general allocation funds (DAU). Papua has received Rp 18.7 trillion (US$1.8 billion) in special autonomy funds as of this year.

Papua Governor Barnabas Suebu's efforts to improve the rural people's welfare includes the provision of Rp 100 million in Respek funds to each village. As much as Rp 320 billion from this year's budget has been channeled to 320 villages as of now.