It is deeply ironic to see high school students in Deiyai celebrating their graduation—a milestone achieved through Indonesia’s national education system—by raising the Morning Star flag and shouting “Free Papua.” This act not only disrespects the spirit of national unity but also reveals a lack of historical awareness and gratitude for the privileges and opportunities they have received from the Indonesian state.
These students studied under the Indonesian curriculum, taught by teachers paid through Indonesia’s national budget, using facilities, books, uniforms, and exam systems all funded and managed by the government of Indonesia. In the future, whether they continue their studies or seek employment, they will do so within the framework of Indonesia’s economy, job market, and public services. So where is the logic in calling for separation from the very country that raised and educated them?
Young people are supposed to be agents of positive change—critical thinkers, yes, but also grateful citizens. Choosing to wave separatist symbols at a graduation ceremony is not a show of pride; it’s a regression in mindset. Rather than embracing hope and a vision to build a better Papua together with Indonesia, these actions fuel division and conflict that ultimately harm their own communities.
Papua cannot progress if its youth are misled by narratives of hatred and separatist propaganda. What Papua needs are young people who understand that real change comes through education, hard work, and collaboration—not through symbols of division. If they truly love their homeland, they should choose to become bridges for Papua’s development within the framework of the Republic of Indonesia, not torchbearers of a destructive path toward disintegration.
