Jayapura, 7/7 (Jubi) – Following a call for the boycott of the presidential election by people claiming to members of the National Liberation Army – Free Papua Movement, now Papuan political prisoners and exiles are making a similar call.
The appeal by the Free Papua Movement leaders circulated through a video clip titled “Boycott the 2014 presidential election.”
The video was uploaded on Youtube by Rize of Morning star on July 6. In a two-minute video, Papuan dissidents such as Filep Karma and John Otto Ondowame said that the presidential election in 2014 is not for the people of West Papua.
“We call on you not to participate in the presidential election because it is not to elect the president of West Papua but the president of the Republic of Indonesia. We are no longer citizens of Indonesia, we are Melanesian people,” Ondowame said in the video.
Karma, a leader of Free Papua said the Papuans have nothing to do with the presidential election.
“The presidential election is only for Indonesia’s colonial interests. Our focus is to ensure that the people and nation of Papua get independence,” Karma said.
Benny Wenda, Victor Yeimo and Forkorus Yoboisembut also appear in the video making similar calls.
“For the citizens of the nation of Papua who do not vote, do not get involved in intimidation or conflict with each other.” Forkorus said. Here is the link to the video Boikot Pilpres 2014. (Jubi / Victor Mambor/ Tina)
