Let’s maintain ties with our neighbour

THE border incident of 1984 was the culmination of apparently uncontrolled and persistent niggling attempts at challenging Papua New Guinea’s sovereignty by lowly-ranked Indonesian soldiers and others.
Another view of the 1984 influx of 10,000 border crossers into Papua New Guinea from West Papua could be that OPM had apparently mounted serious challenges on the Indonesian rule in West Papua from within PNG territory.
The regular border incursions by Indonesian soldiers in pursuit of OPM supporters, the illegal construction of 4km road into PNG territory, and persistent denials of activities by Indonesia to challenge PNG sovereignty were pretty much the practice of the Indonesian authorities before 1984.
The 1986 Friendship Treaty for all that it stands for should be, and was, the turning point in the PNG-Indonesia relations.
Many of the border crossers have returned home.
The Indonesian respect for PNG sovereignty is now more visible through increase in commerce, education and training exchanges and civil society interactions – these are positive indicators of growing relations between the two countries.
The Indonesian commercial and government centre of Batas, although providing valuable services to PNG citizens must appropriately be relocated to the other side of the Tami River. In the spirit of growing friendship between PNG and Indonesia the relocation of Batas decision should be mutual.
Much of the improvement in these relations is due to democratic changes taking place in Indonesia. Recent Indonesian governments have also announced increased participation by Melanesians in the administration of West Papua.
For historical reasons Indonesia remains PNG’s nearest neighbour because of the only land border they share. This closeness inevitably generates benefits and also challenges. Therefore PNG must be interested in what is happening in Indonesia and likewise Indonesia would be following developments in PNG.
For example, PNG must take a keen interest in Indonesian policies for improvement of the living standards and well being of West Papuans. We do not want a repeat of the 1984 influx of the border crossers, or worse.
That influx impacted on limited PNG resources and affected the local villagers along the border who experienced sudden decrease in their food sources such as sago and gardening land, among other problems experienced by local communities.
Likewise Indonesia would be seriously concerned about any PNG policy on the West Papua issue considered unfriendly towards Jakarta. Such bad policy could lead to escalation of misunderstanding and conflict between the two countries.
Any planned or unplanned public announcements that may harm relations between PNG and Indonesia to pre-Friendship Treaty period must be avoided at all times.
Papua New Guinea does not deserve to go  through that nightmare again.
PNG must continue to ensure a proactive policy of open dialogue and meaningful and constructive co-operation with Indonesia. PNG must take advantage of what may be on offer from a much larger Indonesian economy.
We must interact with the largest Muslim country.

Joseph Gabut OBE
  Port Moresby