Pes Yanengga, Sentani – The commemoration of the 17th anniversary of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) on November 19 is a moment to reflect on the history of the organisation's founding.
KNPB International Spokesperson Viktor Yeimo stated that the commemoration of the KNPB's 17th anniversary is important for the Papuan people to reflect on the history of the KNPB's founding.
He said that this momentum is important to encourage the Papuan people to reflect on the history of their struggle for self-determination and to unite their ranks to build a system of forceful resistance against the Indonesian government.
Yeimo made the statement at the KNPB's 17th anniversary celebration which was attended by thousands of people in Sentani, Sentani district, Jayapura regency, Papua.
"The KNPB was officially formed on November 19, 2008, at Post 7, Sentani, Jayapura regency. The KNPB was born out of a movement that was dormant in Papua, following the rise of the reformasi [in 1998] and after the Papuan Presidium [in 2000] was driven back by Indonesian colonialism under the regime of [former president] Megawati Sukarnoputri", said Yeimo.
According to Yeimo, since the 2000s, the Papuan people have been united with renewed vigour and declared the Papuan people's commitment to continuing the struggle peacefully and through dialogue.
This peaceful and dignified method of resistance was demonstrated against Indonesian colonialism. However, the Indonesian government responded with killings, arrests and expulsions.
"I remind the [younger] generation that each generation has its own history, we are picking up the baton left by the Papuan Presidium, as well as the voices of those struggling in the jungles that are not heard in cities and the media", he said.
He said that for this the momentum of the commemoration of the 17th anniversary of the KNPB this year is focusing on the struggle, starting from within the country, because if the existence of the Papuan people is not strong, the Indonesian government will take over all sectors including through National Strategic Projects (PSN).
"The method of conquest of the land of Papuan that is done legally will be resisted by legal means by the Papuan people. Therefore, we must build grassroots resistance, to date the KNPB has consistently formed a resistance structure from the central government down to the regions. Today, the KNPB has 36 regional [chapters] that are being maintained in Papua", he said.
Yeimo reminded the Papuan people to close ranks because unity represents a method that is essential for maintaining their struggle for self-determination.
Meanwhile, KNPB Central General Chairperson Agus Kossay said that since its formation, the KNPB has continued to exist, even though many of its activists have been arrested and imprisoned by Indonesian colonialism.
"The proof is that we are here today to commemorate the KNPB's 17th anniversary. God's power is evident in the KNPB's struggle. For that, I thank God and the Papuan people for their continued support", said Kossay.
He said the KNPB must be a mouthpiece for the people to escape the oppression of Indonesian colonialism. It is hoped that the Papuan people will not to be deceived by groups or organisations installed by Indonesian colonialism.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "HUT Ke-17, Momentum Merefleksikan Sejarah Berdirinya KNPB".]
Source: https://jubi.id/polhukam/2025/hut-ke-17-momentum-merefleksikan-sejarah-berdirinya-knpb/
