02/05/2022
MOLUCCAS FLAG RAISING AT KOKOREKO.
In the first Flag Raising Ceremony of its kind in the country, the official address by the President of the Republic of South Moluccas, Dr. Alexander Manuputty, thanked the Organising Committee of the Flag Raising Day and the chiefs and people of Kokoreko for organising and celebrating the day, via Zoom all the way from Los Angeles in America on April 25.
At the same time a drone was hovering above to capture the day for future access on YouTube. Undoubtedly, Kokoreko has become the first community anywhere in Vanuatu to utilise the current global communication technology to connect Kokoreko with the US.
The Head of South Moluccas appealed to his people to unite against the “barbaric colonisation of Unilateral State of Indonesia” for the last 72 years.
Among the ten points listed, he said “We, the indigenous people of the Republic of South Moluccas need the assistance of the Republic of Vanuatu to reopen the RMS State Case in the United Nations towards finding a lasting solution”.
He also appealed to all the countries of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia to support their case at the UN.
Speaking on behalf of the Presbyterian Church and as an Executive Member of the West Papua and Moluccas Independence Struggle Committee, Elder Job Dalesa said, “Following the passing of the late Chairman of the Committee, Pastor Alan Nafuki, I reiterate to United Liberation Movement of West Papua and Council of Churches of West Papua that the key to success in their struggle, is total unity. This is the single truth which bound the people of Vanuatu through their various churches to succeed in their Independence Struggle. God is able to enter to answer our cries through our unity”.
Elder Dalesa made the statement at the Moluccas Independence Flag Raising Day at Kokoreko.
The Elder is confident that God is in control of the paddle to guide West Papua’s canoe towards its final destination. “We in Vanuatu are focused to ensure that ULMWP become a full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)”, he said.
“With South Moluccas, it is my prayer that we have heard their cry in the wilderness and together we will do what we have done with West Papua for the Indonesian Government to hear from Jakarta their cry for ‘pharaoh to let them go”.
In addition, he said, “I also wish to thank the Vaturisu Council of Chiefs and their people for their unfailing support for the freedom of South Moluccas and West Papua.
“In our devotion (before flag raising), the woman who delivered the message compared the ongoing struggle to the struggle of the Israelites in Egypt and how in the end, God intervened and set the people free from the cruel pharaoh.
“We in Vanuatu had two pharaohs – the British and French while currently Moluccas and West Papua have one pharaoh – the Indonesian Government. It is important that we continue to push Jakarta to let our people of South Moluccas and West Papua go free”.
Elder Dalesa reminded the people how the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs had successfully united the different warring factions of West Papua in 2014, to form the current ULMWP to unite towards eventual political freedom from Jakarta.
Finally, but not least he said the people of Vanuatu have not turned a blind eye on the Kanaks of New Caledonia.
“We have also started on the same road to help them to eventually enjoy the same outcome of their struggle. Please let the people of West Papua go free! Please let the people of South Moluccas go free. Let me remind us all that Jesus Christ came to free all peoples who were in bo***ge. I encourage all churches to preach in support of freedom. Where people’s rights have been violated, do not be afraid to preach against the violations because that was what Christ did and expects us to do the same”.
72 years ago, South Moluccas was declared independent from Indonesia. But colonialism has snatched that freedom from the people. Since then ‘Maluku’ has always been looking to Melanesian independent countries to become part of Melanesia, not Indonesia. “We may ask why Indonesia is still occupying South Moluccas. Because of the exploitation of its rich economic resources in agriculture, fisheries and minerals. They have everything everybody would want but it is sad to say South Moluccas people have never been masters of their own destiny,” says Kokoreko spokesperson, Sarafina Kaloran.
“Father Lini once said, ‘We will never be fully independent until our Melanesian brothers and sisters are also free and independent”.
Sarafina made the statement on behalf of the Kokoreko Council of Chiefs and people of Kokoreko.
Speaking on behalf of Maraki Vanuariki Council of Chiefs of Shepherds Islands, Chief John Luen said, “People of South Moluccas, the Chiefs and people of the Shepherds Islands stand behind your struggle. While we may not have anything to offer you, however what we all have is unity which has successfully united the people of Vanuatu to stand together to achieve our freedom.
“As a chief, I hereby thank the former Secretary General of Shefa Province and current representative of South Moluccas (Mr. Morris Kaloran) since the two countries come under Shefa’s care so our unity is our faith that South Moluccas and West Papua will also come to enjoy the same sovereignty that we have come to enjoy.
Port Vila resident West Papua Freedom Advocate, Freddy Warome praised the chiefs and people of Kokoreko for the name of their community saying in his language, it means a “rooster”.
He said the name of Tongoa’s local community is literally fitting because it is located at the summit of the hill, organising ‘Maluku’s Flag raising Ceremony up there and celebrating South Moluccas’ 50th Independence is fitting because it is similar to a rooster’s call at day break to welcome a new dawn.
“I congratulate the Chiefs’ Council and people of Kokoreko and the Organising Committee for the program to mark this auspicious day for South Moluccas and West Papua.
“You are the Kokoreko for the people of South Moluccas and West Papua calling us all to work. You keep calling beyond Vanuatu to remind the ‘pharaohs’ that there are still people in the Pacific and beyond who plead and shed tears for their freedom”.
— By Len Garae.
In the first Flag Raising Ceremony of its kind in the country, the official address by the President of the Republic of South Moluccas, Dr. Alexander Manuputty, thanked the Organising
