Johannes Abraham Dimara

Major TNI Johannes Abraham Dimara (9 October 1916 – 20 October 2000) was an Indonesian National Hero from Papua.

Life

Dimara was born in Korem, North Biak, Papua on 9 October 1916. He graduated from basic training at Ambon in 1935. He then entered the School of Agriculture at the Laha in 1940. He then entered the School of Education Gospel. After graduation, he became a gospel teacher in Buru Island.

In 1946, he participated in the Red and White flag hoisting in Namlea, Buru island. He helped fight for the return of territory of West Papua into the hands of the Indonesian Republic. In 1950, he was appointed Chairman of OPI (Liberation Organization of West Papua). As a serviceman of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (as part of the Indonesian Army), he took part in a 1954 infiltration mission to West Papua and was arrested by the Netherlands New Guinea government. He was thrown into Digul prison until being released in 1960.

When President Sukarno proclaimed Operation TRIKORA in 1962, he and Bung Karno became figures of the young people of Papua and they were invited to TRIKORA headquarters in Yogyakarta. He also called on the entire community in West Papua and Papuans nationwide to participate in order to support the union of West Papua as a constituent territory of the Republic. In 1962, the New York Agreement was held. He became a part of the delegation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia. The content of the agreement ultimately required the Dutch Kingdom to be willing to surrender West Papua to the government of Indonesian Republic, effective 1 May 1963.

On Independence Day, 17 August 1962, a pro-integration rally was held in front of the palace (that time there being no Monas) and Dimara, wearing chains, was severed in front of the crowds at Lapangan Banteng, Jakarta. Bung Karno saw that moment and was inspired to make a statue of the liberation of West Irian. Thus, the West Irian Liberation Monument built in honor of the integration of Papua is less than 1.5 kilometres (0.9 mi) from Merdeka Palace at the grounds of Lapangan Banteng. Dimara's story was told in a book written by Carmelia Sukmawati called Fai Do Ma, Mai Do Fa, Son Struggle Across Papua, JA Dimara (2000).

National Heroes of Indonesia

For his services, Dimara was named, with Dr. J. Mena, a National Hero of Indonesia on 11 November 2010.

Death

Johannes Abraham Dimara died at the age of 84 on 20 October 2000 in Jakarta.

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