Freedom means much here

BY JEFFREY ELAPA
THE true meaning of Independence was celebrated in a remote community that lies on the border of West Papua and PNG.
On the 44th Independence anniversary, the people of Tumolbil, a small remote government station situated on the PNG-Indonesia border raised the PNG flag and sang the national anthem, symbolising their pride in being independent although living in one of the far-flung places in the country.
It was a really touching experience as everyone who gathered stood still and as the flag bearers raised the West Sepik and PNG flags at this small government station right on the international border.
What was really inspiring was the fact that several West Papuan citizens also took part in the PNG independence celebration with their relatives who live on the PNG side of the border.
I was fortunate to have visited this remote community at the invitation of the Member for Telefomin and Minister for Forests Solan Mirisim to celebrate Independence with his people.
The member spent the entire Independence week in the district visiting and celebrating with his people in the four local level government stations at Telefomin, Yapsie, Hewagi and Oksapmin.
Mirisim started on Monday, Sept 16 at Telefomin station where he delivered his Independence message and presented K50,000 to the Independence committee.
On Tuesday, the member and his delegation flew to Oksapmin government station, a 25-minute flight to another remote LLG station out of Telefomin district headquarters to celebrated with them. He presented K35,000 to the people for their Independence celebration and gifts.
Also during the Independence week, the member, through the Telefomin District Development Authority, recognised long serving councillors and presented some money as a token of appreciation for their services. More than 30 councillor wh had served the district and lost in the recent LLG elections were presented tokens of appreciation.
Next stop Yapsie and Hedwagi LLGs
Around 11am on Wednesday, Sept 18, two days after the 44th Independence anniversary, a small single-engine aircraft owned by Central Aviation flown by an old New Zealander landed at the Telefomin airstrip to pick up the Government team led by Mirisim to go and celebrate Independence with the people in this remote border community.
The small plane with six passengers noisily flew over untouched, steep and rugged mountain ranges for about 30 minutes until it reach the small uneven runway at Tumolbil which lies between steep mountain ranges.
The Tumolbil airstrip crosses the border; one end of the airfield is in Indonesian territory and the other in PNG.
Looking across the airfield into the Indonesian side is a hill, and the PNG Government is going to build a military post on the top of the hill while a 40-man donga will be built at the station at Tumolbil, next to the LLG post.
According to the locals, two sawmills have been delivered for the construction of the military border post by PNG Customs officials and work would start soon.
We arrived at around 11.30am at this small local level government border post. It’s a small government station that has an administration house managed by two LLG officers, a health centre managed by three health officials and a primary school with six teachers.
There are about 4,000 people in the area and 3,000 of them live in 10 villages in the Indonesian side of the border which is a traditional land but cut by the imaginary border.
Locals say Indonesian military helicopters on patrol land there regularly although PNG soldiers seldom visit the area.
Prendi Titi, a local councillor of Maskabil Ward 12 says that the international border line is confusing as it encroaches into Papua New Guinean traditional land and about 3,000 people in 10 villages live on the other side of the border all the way to Wara Samol.
“I’m councillor of Maskabil Ward 12 and I look after 3,000 people who live beyond the border but on our traditional land.
Our border is at Wara Samol which is several kilometres from the current border line,” he said.
In respect of a death in the border village, the people did not turn up for the anniversary celebrations in their traditional bilas but were nevertheless so nice and respectful.
They greeted and welcomed the delegation to the grandstand that was prepared for the occasion.
The ceremony started with a prayer led by a local pastor followed by the raising of the national flag with the national anthem.
We all stood silent and watched the flag raised by the bearers as everyone joined in singing the national anthem, a song that was sung and a flag that was raised on Sept 16, 1975, at the independence Hill in Waigani.

Anthem has special meaning
We may take things for granted but the raising of the flag and the singing of the national anthem on this border government station mean a lot.
It was indeed significant at a time when our brothers and sisters are struggling for independence just a few meters away from the border.
Many people have lost their lives and many more have fled and sought refuge in PNG and continue to live in areas like Tumolbil, Yapsi, Blackwara, Yawin, Ok Tedi, Vanimo, Wewak, Madang and even Port Moresby.
While Waigani is so far away, these forgotten people who have been cut-off from the rest of the country really know and feel the importance of independence as everyone including the elderly and the children stood and sang the national anthem so beautifully.
One could sense the patriotism of these people because they witness the struggles of their brothers and sisters on a regular basis compared with how peacefully PNG was able to gain Independence.
Several West Papuans also took part in the celebration and were acknowledged and welcomed by Pias Tony, president of Yapsie LLG.
One could only imagine how the West Papuans felt while witnessing the raising a flag of an independent nation.
It was really emotional, and I could sense how they felt although they took part with the Papua New Guineans in the flag raising and singing of the national anthem besides taking part in other activities that went on for the past few days including ball games.
One of those who wanted to remain anonymous said one day they would be free and raise their flag proudly like Papua New Guineans.