Sarmi – The Head of the Indigenous Community Institution (LMA) of Sarmi Regency, Frans Sawen, has called on all Papuans—especially the younger generation—to emulate the fighting spirit of national heroes who hailed from Papua. He highlighted unity, courage, and dedication to the nation as values that must be upheld and passed on.
This call was made during a commemorative event held at the Class III Port Field, located at Jalan Brasildi No. 1, Sarmi Village, Sarmi District, Sarmi Regency, Papua, on Monday (November 10, 2026), which ran from 08:30 to 13:00 Eastern Indonesian Time (WIT).
According to Frans Sawen, heroes from Papua made great sacrifices for the nation and the state.
“These heroes demonstrated that courage, unity, love for the homeland, and dedication to the nation are noble values that we must continue to safeguard and pass on to the next generation,” he said.
He emphasized that this commemoration should serve as a reminder that the struggle for the nation does not always mean taking up arms.
“The struggle is not only carried out by taking up arms; it can also be realized through concrete actions—such as maintaining unity, respecting differences, preserving indigenous customs and culture, and contributing to development for the advancement of Papua,” he stated.
Frans Sawen also urged the public not to be easily swayed by provocations or negative rumors. “Let us work together to maintain security and public order, ensuring a safe and conducive environment so that all development programs can proceed effectively and provide benefits to the community,” he added.
As a member of the indigenous Papuan community, he believes that carrying forward the aspirations of these heroes is a collective responsibility. He stated that this can be achieved by filling our independence with positive endeavors, safeguarding the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), and building a Papua that is peaceful, progressive, and prosperous.
In his closing remarks, he urged the public to keep striving. “Continue to fight through unity, courage, and dedication for the sake of a better Papua and a better Indonesia,” he concluded.
