The flag that even Indonesia’s neighbour won’t tolerate the sight of
For the first time the controversial Morning Star flag has flown above an official building in Papua New Guinea. The flag belongs to an independence movement in neighbouring West Papua, which is a restive province of Indonesia. But as protestors found, flying this flag – even outside Indonesia – can have serious consequences.
The restive province of West Papua in Indonesia is a place where many people feel little sense of belonging to their nation. It’s also a place where flying a flag of independence can get you thrown in jail, or worse.The 1st of December is a day marked by protests calling for independence or self-determination in the province, and a day for flying the Morning Star flag.This year Port Moresby’s Governor decided to fly the Morning Star flag, but he and the protestors have felt the force of Indonesia’s influence as a result.