Jayapura, Jubi – Three Papuan students from Mataram University were banned from taking photos and escorted off the campus area after they were spotted holding the Morning Star posters at the graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Law in Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara Province.
Initially, two Papuan students, Naldo (from the Faculty of Economics) and Tombol (from the Faculty of Forestry), attended the graduation ceremony to congratulate another Papuan student, Yordan Nyamuk Karunggu. During that time, Nyamuk Karunggu and Naldo were photographed by a campus security guard without their consent. When questioned, the security guard threatened them instead. Feeling uncomfortable and frustrated with the unjust treatment of Papuan students, Nyamuk Karunggu protested by tearing off his university jacket.
Nyamuk Karunggu, along with Naldo and Tombol, later tried to take pictures with a Morning Star poster. However, they were promptly stopped by another security guard who considered the poster unacceptable. Subsequently, they were escorted off campus.
Nyamuk Karunggu explained that he used the Morning Star poster as a symbol of resistance against racism and repression faced by Papuan students at Mataram University. He also revealed that the institution had previously disbanded a discussion among Papuan students on campus, furthering their sense of marginalization and oppression.
Jubi has tried to seek a response from the Vice Chancellor III of Mataram University, Sujita, but to no avail. The incident sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by Papuan students in expressing their identity and concerns on campus. (*)
