Papua Rebel Group Calls for National Flag Burning as Independence Day Approaches

August 5, 2025 | 10:35 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Spokesperson for the National Command of the West Papuan National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), Sebby Sambom, has called for a rejection of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day celebration.

In a statement broadcast on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Sebby urged the people of Papua to burn the Indonesian national flag, a move he described as a symbol of opposition to Indonesia's presence in the region.

He framed the flag burning as a form of resistance against what he considers an occupation by the Indonesian government. "Their Red and White flag must be burnt everywhere. All fighters, the people, must pull it down and burn it," Sebby said in a voice message on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

In several photos and videos he shared, Sebby claimed that the flag burning had already taken place, showing several TPNPB members carrying long-barreled weapons while setting the flag ablaze.

This call was directed at all Papuans, including schoolchildren, to demonstrate to the world that the people of Papua do not recognize Indonesian independence as part of their history. "Papua is the Land of the Gospel, which has been prayed for in the name of God and the ancestors of the Papua nation," he said.

Sebby also recounted his personal childhood experiences, where he said he was forced to learn the Indonesian language and ideology in school, a practice he described as a form of cultural imposition and a violation of human rights. "Our teachers used to beat us with rattan if we spoke in our local language," he said.

In his message, Sebby asserted that the people of Papua had declared their independence on December 1, 1961, and referred to this moment as the legal basis for challenging Papua's status under international law. "That is strong enough legal evidence for us to sue Indonesia in international court," he said.

He also criticized Papuan officials, whom he deemed subservient to the Indonesian government and failing to protect their people. "As regional heads, they must have the courage to say not to kill our people," he said.

Sebby affirmed that the struggle for independence would continue with a strategy to expel Indonesian immigrants from Papua and recall Papuan students from across Indonesia. He referred to this as part of the "total revolution" phase, which has yet to be formally declared.

The Head of Information for the XVII/Cenderawasih Regional Military Command, Colonel Candra Kurniawan, responded to the statement by calling it part of an annual pattern of intimidation by armed separatist groups.

"Every year, ahead of the celebration of Indonesia's Independence Day, OPM groups always carry out intimidation with acts of terror and propaganda by instructing to prohibit and even burn the Red and White flag," Candra told Tempo on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

He stated that the XVII/Cenderawasih Regional Military Command had collaborated with various parties to maintain security and commemorate Independence Day. "The XVII/Cenderawasih Regional Military Command, together with the Regional Government, village apparatus, the Police, leaders, and all elements of society, synergized and worked together to conduct territorial coaching, communication, and socialization in enlivening the Indonesian Independence Day, including in law enforcement to protect the people," he said.

Candra also confirmed that no additional troops or special operations would be deployed in response to the rebel group's call. "There is no troop increase and no special operations in this matter," he said.

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