KNPB Rallies Shouldn’t Be Restricted, says Councilor

By Arjuna Pademe. 

Chairman of Hanura Fraction of Papua Legislative Council Yan Permenas Mandenas – Jubi/Arjuna Pademme

Jayapura – Chairman of Hanura Fraction of Papua Legislative Council Yan Permenas Mandenas urged Police to not restrict and stop the West Papua National Committee from staging rallies despite its support for an independent Papua.

He said Papua Legislative Council is the house of people and is a place for people to voice their aspirations, regardless their background or affiliations, as long as it is legal.

“I think the Police shouldn’t keep blocking the West Papua National Committee in doing a rally. The Central Government shouldn’t always underestimate them. Especially in Papua Parliament’s Office, anyone can express their aspirations. It is the house of people, as long as not against the rule,” said Mandenas on last weekend.

He said the Police should be wise to read the situation on the ground. Giving permission to do a rally at the Papua Parliament Office, for example, is better than let them do it on the street because it would disturb the people’s activities. Let the councilors meet them and manage their aspiration, give it a political, development, social and legal review before pass it to related stakeholders.

“KNPB shouldn’t do a rally on the street; it seems there is no room for aspirations. Let them go to the parliament office. It’s a support from Hanura Fraction; we do not take any symbols against to the Constitution. Even it’s related to the aspirations for independence, they must express their voice in here,” he said.

Separately, the councilor from the Commission I of the Papua Legislative Council for Government, Political, Legal and Human Rights Affairs, Laurenzus Kadepa said the parliament does not discriminate anyone because it opens to all aspirations of any groups. But the Police seem to discriminate people in providing the permit for demonstration.

“It is not about politic, but justice in the space of democracy. Whatever is their ideology, do not restrict them in expressing their aspirations,” said Kadepa, politician from NasDem Party who is also the member of Hanura Fraction of Papua Legislative Council.

According to him, the Police was deliberately allowing the certain groups to express their aspiration though they do not have the permit. But on the other hand, the certain groups such as KNPB is restricted, being stopped and give limited space to express their aspirations. (pt/tabloidjubi.com)