On 10 October 1921, in the remote village of Wardo on Biak Island, West Papua, a future national hero was born: Frans Kaisiepo. As the eldest of six children, he was raised by his aunt after the early death of his mother. From a young age, he displayed charisma and leadership, threading local Biak traditions—such as rites of passage and war dances—with a burgeoning sense of responsibility among peers.
His formal education began at a village school and continued at LVVS in Korido, then at Sekolah Guru Normal in Manokwari and later at the Papua Bestuurschool in Kampung Harapan (Hollandia). There he encountered Soegoro Atmoprasodjo, an influential educator from Java and nationalist activist who introduced the Biak students to Indonesian patriotism and “Indonesia Raya”—long before most Papuans embraced the idea.
Bold Steps: Raising the Merah Putih in Papua
On 31 August 1945, while the rest of Indonesia celebrated independence from colonial rule, Kaisiepo performed a daring act in Biak: raising the Indonesian red-and-white flag and singing the national anthem. This occurred in defiance of Dutch rule and set a symbolic precedent—he was one of the first Papuans to publicly declare loyalty to the new Republic.
In July 1946, as the only Papuan delegate to the Malino Conference, he voiced strong opposition to Dutch designs to merge Papua into the proposed Negara Indonesia Timur (Eastern Indonesia State). Instead, he proposed the name “Irian,” meaning “hot land” or “light dispelling darkness” in the Biak language. Besides that, “Irian” is also an acronym for “Ikut Republik Indonesia Anti Netherlands (Join the Republic of Indonesia Against the Netherlands)”—an emblem of Papua’s march into a new national consciousness.
Political Awakening: Parties, Prison, and Persistence
Returning to Biak, Kaisiepo founded the Partai Indonesia Merdeka in July 1946—a base for independence activism in Papua. However, his defiance of Dutch authority led to repeated arrests. Between 1954 and 1961, he endured imprisonment for his anti-colonial advocacy—but his spirit remained unbroken.
Immediately upon release, he quickly relaunched political efforts—this time founding Irian Sebagian Indonesia/ISI (Irian Part of Indonesia), a party committed to integrating Papua into the Republic. His leadership played directly into President Sukarno’s Trikora campaign of 19 December 1961, aimed at reclaiming West New Guinea from Dutch control.
Trikora Operation and the New York Agreement: A Nation Consolidated
Under Trikora Operation, Indonesian volunteers were deployed to Papua, with ISI helping to organize and welcome infiltrators landing at Mimika and other coastal areas. These efforts, combined with mounting international pressure, led to the New York Agreement on 15 August 1962, under which the Dutch handed over administration to the UN. In 1 May 1963, Indonesia began governing West New Guinea under UN transitional governance before a planned referendum.
During 14 July until 2 August 1969, the Act of Free Choice took place, involving around 1,022 selected Papuan delegates who affirmed incorporation into Indonesia. During this era of transition, Kaisiepo’s political influence grew strong across districts such as Merauke, Jayawijaya, Fak‑fak, Paniai, Sorong, and Manokwari, where he campaigned for unity and citizenship within Indonesia.
The Fourth Governor: Leading Papua Toward Development
On 26 November 1964, Kaisiepo assumed office as the 4th Governor of West Irian (later Irian Jaya, now Papua)—becoming the first native Papuan to hold that post. He held the position until 29 June 1973, through leadership transitions from Presidents Sukarno to Suharto.
As governor, he emphasized education, population growth, and infrastructure—areas neglected under Dutch rule. Under his watch, Papuan literacy and civic services expanded significantly. He also chaired the Musyawarah Besar Rakyat Irian Barat, an organizing body to ask Papuan support for the 1969 referendum.
After completing his gubernatorial tenure, he was elected to Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) in 1973 and appointed to the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) in 1977, representing Papuan affairs at the national level.
Legacy in Symbols: National Hero, Currency, Airport, Fleet
Kaisiepo died of a heart attack on 10 April 1979 in Jayapura; he was interred at the Cendrawasih Heroes’ Cemetery in Biak and instantly revered as a symbolic figure across Papua.
On 30 August 1993, to mark three decades since Papua’s handover, the Indonesian government posthumously awarded him the title of National Hero and the Bintang Mahaputera Adipradana Class II. His name was immortalized in infrastructure: the island’s main airport became Frans Kaisiepo International Airport, and a naval corvette of the Indonesian Navy, KRI Frans Kaisiepo (368), was commissioned in his honor.
In 25 October 2016, Bank Indonesia unveiled a redesigned Rp 10,000 banknote featuring the portrait of Frans Kaisiepo on the front—a first for a Papuan hero on widely circulated currency within Indonesia. The design persisted into the 2022 currency series, cementing his legacy in daily, symbolic public use.
A Resonant Legacy for Today’s Indonesia
Frans Kaisiepo’s journey—from humble roots in a forested Biak village to the corridors of national power—embodies Indonesia’s struggle for unity and identity. As a Papuan leader who formally introduced the name “Irian,” he shaped the language of nationalism itself.
His dedication invites reflection on the broader challenges of Papua’s relationship with Indonesia: debates over self‑determination, cultural autonomy, and inclusion persist. Yet Kaisiepo’s political vision and emphasis on integration through education, infrastructure, and inclusive governance mark him as one of the most consequential Papuan patriots in Indonesia’s modern history.
Conclusion
Frans Kaisiepo was more than just a regional figure—he was a national unifier who played a pivotal role in integrating Papua into the Republic of Indonesia. From boldly raising the red-and-white flag in 1945 to coining the term “Irian” and leading political movements that aligned Papua with Indonesia’s national identity, Kaisiepo’s contributions were profound and lasting.
His life reflects a powerful message: that Indonesia’s unity is not built solely from its political centers but from the courage and vision of people on its peripheries. As the first native Papuan to become governor and a man who advocated for peaceful unification through education, diplomacy, and development, Kaisiepo remains a symbol of both national pride and Papuan leadership.
Today, his face on the Rp 10,000 banknote serves not only as recognition of his legacy but also as a daily reminder that the spirit of unity and inclusion he fought for is still vital in Indonesia’s ongoing journey as a diverse but united nation.