Jayapura, Jubi – Papuan pro-independence figure Filep Karma was buried at the Expo Public Cemetery in Jayapura City on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at around 9:30 p.m. The funeral of the Bloody Biak survivor was attended by thousands of mourners who came from Jayapura City, Jayapura Regency, and surrounding areas.
Filep Karma left home to go diving on Sunday and was found dead at Base G Beach on Tuesday morning, allegedly died from a diving accident.
Thousands of people attended Filep Karma’s funeral. Church leaders, traditional leaders, and activists, among others Markus Haluk, escorted the body to his resting place. The funeral process was also closely guarded by the police.
Filep Karma’s coffin was covered in a Morning Star flag. During the funeral procession, six Morning Star flags were raised. The Morning Star that covered the coffin was then handed over to the family.
“The man [Filep Karma] taught us about everything. We leave the flag to the family as a symbol that the struggle continues to live,” said Eneko Pahabol while handing over the Morning Star flag to Filep Karma’s children Fina Karma, Audrin Karma, and Since Karma.
On behalf of the family, Since Karma expressed his gratitude for the love of the community towards the late Filep Karma. “Thank you very much for your love. We are grateful to have Mr. Filep. He taught us to be brave. Filep Karma didn’t want us to live in fear. Let’s stay brave. He’s gone but his spirit hasn’t left. The spirit lives in us,” Since Karma told the mourners.
Chairman of the Extraordinary Congress Version of the Papua Customary Council Dominikus Surabut remembered Filep Karma in his usual brown safari clothes and a Morning Star emblem embedded in his chest. Surabut said Karma’s spirit would live on. “The revolution is not over, the struggle is not over. The Papuan nation must be saved,” Surabut told the mourners.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Indonesian People’s Front for West Papua, Surya Anta Ginting, said Filep Karma was a figure in the struggle for Papuan independence who had the most modern mind. According to Surya, the man is an inspiration for the people of Papua and Indonesia, “Mr. Filep is an inspiration for young activists all across Indonesia. Mr. Filep has inspired us through his struggle,” Surya said. (*)
