Social Diplomacy with Papua Society

SOCIAL DIPLOMATION REQUIRED TO PAPUA COMMUNITIES

By: GPB Suka  Arjawa

The demonstrations that took place in Papua and West Papua some time ago, indicated that the problem of Indonesianism had not yet been resolved. In several places in the area erupted riots that had previously started from demonstrations. And this event occurs as a result of being offended by a form of harassment or racial speech in Malang and Surabaya. The incident in Surabaya occurred because there was a rumor about the red and white flag breaking down at the Papua Dormitory in Surabaya. The details of the incident alone indicate how fragile Indonesian-ness is. Some stated that the news was false news, but the violence that occurred had shown the need for struggle to overcome the country's problems.

We said beforehand that social media is an intermediary that is able to make these issues quickly. However, although there is no social media that can be used as an accelerator, the existence of (issues) flagging and racial speech is the basis of the conflict. This means that even though social media does not deliver faster to the surface, in the future this hidden conflict will become a major eruption. Here, if it is possible, the acceleration of events because of the media will actually accelerate our awareness of the Indonesian people, that there are still problems in this Papua case. Thus, it is hoped that the handling of the case will also be faster.

In conflict areas, relative deprivation is one of the theories that illustrates how conflict arises. It says here more or less that uncertainty arises because the promises given by the government are too far from people's expectations. This distant hope can cause disappointment. If elaborated and developed, this theory can refer to economic needs, social facilities up to the level of community assimilation. That is, how the local community does not feel humiliated, harassed or any other form that can offend. That is why, psychological factors must also be considered.

Papua is a vast territory, including the largest island in Indonesia. In terms of natural resources, there is no doubt that Papua's natural wealth has a high level of benefit. This is reflected in the Freeport McMoran company. From these glasses alone can cause jealousy. For example the extent to which this wealth can be enjoyed by the people of Papua. From that percentage, how far is true in accordance with the promises given by the government. The percentage promised to the local community with the accuracy of the percentage reached the community, can cause problems if it is not in accordance with community expectations. For example, it could be that the Papuan people do not agree to get 6 percent, causing protests. Or maybe I agree with six percent, but the fact that it reaches the lower current is far lower than six percent. This is what makes people dissatisfied doubled.

In terms of development facilities it is also like that. In the geographical context of Papua which is mountainous and even forested, the most important priority means of development are transportation facilities, namely roads and air transportation. Here, promises regarding the construction of facilities and infrastructure must be carefully spoken. Because, mistakes in giving promises will get a different interpretation in the community. Building transportation facilities in regions such as Papua cannot be carried out precisely. This means that the promises made may be wrong. The delay in development (for example from one year to one and a half years), will be a problem for the community, and will be latent dissatisfaction.

The Indonesian government has done its best when viewed from political psychology. This can be seen in changing the name of Irian to Papua during the reign of Gus Dur. This change is very psychological and touching because Irian has the extension "Join the Republic of Indonesia Anti-Netherland". While Papua is a term for the people there who have become their inner identity. There is also a policy of assisting Papuans and young people in the Papua area for schools with certain features. To be honest, in universities there are priorities for people from this region to complete their education. Concretely, even if there is a slightly less value, it can be adjusted to be fulfilled. Because, from the perspective of education, humans will be able to educate themselves in the further development of social life. President Jokowi also often visits Papua. Of course the aim is to state that there is no difference between eastern Indonesia with the central and western parts.

This is part of a psychopolitical policy which aims to reduce the "distance" between Papua and other regions in Indonesia. However, psychological approaches like this do require a period of time to get results. For this process requires intelligence and patience.

In the relative deprivation process there is a kind of opaqueness to the gap. This means how people respond to government promises with the available reality. As already stated, conflict will arise if the community does not see the compatibility between elite promises and what is in the reality of the community. At this point the gap can occur. In local communities (such as Papua), there may be patience to wait for the government's promise to become a reality. Because, in terms of physical development, building Papua does require challenges and patience. Or it could be that the government is slow or even does not provide maximum assistance. This is what must be considered. If indeed the context is impatient, it must be given an explanation and also education expanded in the area. When the government is slow, the solution is accelerated.

Perhaps the best is to quietly carry out the development consistently so that these promises cannot be interpreted in a variety of ways. Development must be done consistently.

There are other ways to improve self-confidence and get closer to the people of Papua, namely by getting closer politically in the form of "exhibitions". Social diplomacy is needed to get closer to the people of Papua. The holding of PON (National Sports Week) in Papua later is one of the ways. For national-scale sporting events, such as the world badminton championships, no one is also held in Papua. Therefore, the PON venue must be maintained properly. Problem audience can be mobilized. Contact between Papuan people with athletes from outside Papua will give a touch of Indonesianness. It is not wrong either, the head of state or the President receives guests who come from the Pacific region, only in Papua. This will bring Papuans closer to Indonesia. The president is a symbol of Indonesia as well and the guests are Indonesian guests. Give a new minister announcement to the cabinet later, it is not wrong if it is done in Papua. ****

Author, Lecturer of Sociology at FISIP Udayana University