"Ahead of December 1, 2019, we appeal to all the members of the community to remain calm. Security personnel are working towards this end. Please do not get provoked by any issue that can cause disunity among people," he said in Jayapura, the capital city of Papua Province, on Monday. "Whatever we say, Papua nationally and internationally remains a part of Indonesia. We should thank God for his mercy to Papua and all of us," he said, adding that the young Papuan generation needs to develop Papua.
"Please study hard and produce the best work in any field for the sake of ensuring progress for Papua and Indonesia," he added.
Sianipar appealed to them to ignore calls of provocation ahead of the commemoration of the OPM anniversary on December 1.
Meanwhile, appeals to celebrate the OPM anniversary by holding a prayer gathering on December 1 at Trikora Field in Abepura Subdistrict, Jayapura city, were circulated on social media.
Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)-Jayapura Chapter, KH Abdul Kahar Yelipele, called on all Papuans across Papua Province to maintain peace ahead of the commemoration of the OPM anniversary.
"Let us all, brothers and sisters, maintain peace and security in Papua. I appeal to all of us to ensure there will be no movements that may potentially trigger a division among us," Yelipele recently said.
He urged all the members of the Papuan communities in Jayapura and other parts of Papua to exercise self-restraint and not get provoked by those wanting to harm the brotherhood and spoil the peace among the people.
Therefore, unnecessary movements ahead of early December should be avoided. Instead, December 1 should be a time to prepare for a peaceful and tranquil Christmas.
To this end, all elements of the society are expected to support their Christian brothers and sisters.
"I call on all members of our young generation to avoid any event that opposes the legitimate government on December 1. Let us safeguard Papua. Papua is part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI)," he said.
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: Alfian R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
