The tragedy arrived without warning, and it is truly a terrible loss for those brave souls who fight towards Papuan prosperity under the Indonesian Government. Franz Albert Joku, a former leading West Papuan Independence supporter who had eventually became an Indonesian government advocate, tragically died of heart disease at the age of 66 on Sunday, the 28th of April, 2019, at 2:15am local time in Jayapura.
The Indonesian people are feeling aggrieved at the news of this tragic loss. Franz Albert Joku was once known as a former Free West Papua fighter who had established a high position in the organisation, and sought to separate Papua from Indonesia through communicating with foreign governments.
However, fate guided him upon the right path. Franz Albert Joku, upon realizing the reality of the situation, voluntarily transferred his support to the Indonesian Government, and reached the understanding that this was how democracy and further development towards the welfare of Papua could truly be achieved.
Franz received a multitude of invitations to talk about his drastic change of path, that for some, was perceived as impossible. He conveyed the reality of the Papuan struggle in the field of political recognition, and demonstrated that economic prosperity could be found under the guiding principles present within the good Indonesian government.
He demonstrates the capacity to truly utilise democracy and compromise to the highest degree, via establishing Papua as a special autonomous zone in 2002, that granted indigenous Papuans the ability to become the true leaders of this area. Franz also became a figure who endeavoured to improve Indonesia’s relationship with the key Melanesian Spearhead Group.
A number of Papuan leaders gave their sincere condolences, including Papua Province Nahdlatul Ulama (a traditionalist Sunni Islam movement in Indonesia) Chairman, Dr. H Toni Wanggai. “RIP Mr. Ondofolo Sentani Franz Albert Joku. This afternoon I was shocked to hear the sad news on social media, as just on April 5th and April 11th, we had communicated with the now deceased, asking permission to take my photo with President Jokowi to make a status on the Papua Special Autonomy Law,” said Toni.
Last year, during his final interview in New Zealand with RNZ Pacific regarding whether Papua should have independence, Franz illustrated that a more thorough, objective and “deeper look at the true issues” was required.”Independent, for some, doesn’t mean an instant action of declaring a sovereign nation”, he said. “I think it’s moreso a value. In order to find that value of freedom, of being independent, it is but a continuing process.”
“I differ from being an independent, sovereign nation of Papua, rather than being free and well-off economically, socially within a government structure that is in existence today,” he explained.
Currently the deceased’s body is in the morgue of Bhayangkara Jayapura Hospital, and it will later be taken to Flavouw Sentani. Rest in Peace Franz Albert Joku. Our most sincere condolences to you and your family. Thank you for your endeavours towards furthering the ideals of democracy and freedom, warrior of the East.
