In the quiet village of Doromena, located in what is now Jayapura Regency, Papua, a child named Marthen Indey was born on March 16, 1912. Few could have predicted that this young Papuan boy, raised in the mist-covered valleys of eastern Indonesia, would one day become a central figure in the struggle to unite Papua with the Republic of Indonesia. His life was a journey that transcended boundaries—from colonial service to patriotic defiance, from the Dutch police uniform to the red and white spirit of the Indonesian flag.
Indey’s story is not merely one of political change but of profound personal transformation. He witnessed the turbulence of colonial rule, the horrors of global war, and the intense debates surrounding Papua’s political destiny. Yet through it all, he held firm to the belief that Papua was an inseparable part of Indonesia—a conviction that eventually earned him the title of National Hero (Pahlawan Nasional) in 1993. Today, his name is immortalized not only in Jayapura’s hospital—Rumah Sakit TK II Marthen Indey—but also in the hearts of Papuans who continue to remember him as a bridge between local identity and national unity.
Early Life and Education: A Young Papuan in the Colonial Era
Marthen Indey was born into a family of respected local leaders. His father, an ondoafi (village chief), instilled in him the values of discipline, service, and community responsibility. Growing up in Dutch-ruled New Guinea, the young Indey attended missionary and government-run schools that introduced him to the Dutch language and Western education. Yet, beneath the surface of colonial schooling, he also absorbed the cultural wisdom and spiritual resilience of his Papuan roots.
His early promise led him to further studies in Makassar, South Sulawesi, at the Kweekschool voor Indische Schepelingen—a vocational training school for indigenous students. Graduating in 1932, Indey decided to enter the police academy in Sukabumi, West Java, in 1934. It was an unusual path for a Papuan youth at the time, as few from his homeland had ever crossed the sea to Java for formal education. This experience broadened his worldview and exposed him to the growing currents of nationalism that were already flowing across the archipelago.
By 1935, Indey returned to Papua as a colonial police officer under Dutch administration. The uniform symbolized authority, but it also placed him in a moral dilemma—enforcing the colonial order over his own people. This tension would define the next phase of his life, as the seeds of rebellion slowly began to grow within him.
From Colonial Policeman to Nationalist Awakening
During his years as a police officer, Marthen Indey was stationed in various parts of Papua, including the remote interior regions. His duties often involved maintaining “order” in the face of local resistance against Dutch control. However, fate soon introduced him to a group of political prisoners and exiles detained by the Dutch government in the Boven Digul camp—men who would profoundly influence his political awakening.
Among these prisoners were Indonesian nationalists such as Sugoro Atmoprasojo, Mohammad Saleh, and other figures exiled from Java and Sumatra for their anti-colonial activities. They shared with Indey their vision of a united Indonesia—a free nation that stretched from Sabang to Merauke. For the young Papuan policeman, these encounters were transformative. He began to see the colonial system not as a force for order but as an obstacle to justice and independence.
As he interacted more with these nationalists, Indey’s allegiance subtly shifted. Though he continued to wear the Dutch uniform, his heart began to beat for the red and white flag. By the late 1930s, he was quietly aiding political prisoners, passing messages, and even helping some secure better treatment. His covert acts of solidarity were early signs of his commitment to the Indonesian cause.
World War II and the Struggle for Identity
The outbreak of World War II brought chaos to the Pacific, and Dutch New Guinea became a strategic battleground. When Japanese forces invaded the region, Indey joined the Netherlands Indies Civil Administration (NICA)—a semi-military structure that cooperated with Allied forces. He even received training in Australia and worked as a district officer in border areas such as Arso, Yamasy, and Waris during World War II.
Yet, the war years deepened his reflection on identity and sovereignty. The fall of the Dutch East Indies and the emergence of the Republic of Indonesia in 1945 revealed that change was possible—that foreign rule could indeed end. The winds of independence sweeping through the archipelago eventually reached the eastern frontier, and Indey stood ready to play his part.
Championing the Integration of Papua (1946–1963)
After Indonesia proclaimed its independence on August 17, 1945, Papua remained under Dutch control. The colonial government sought to separate the territory from the newly established Republic of Indonesia, portraying Papuans as ethnically and culturally distinct. But for Marthen Indey, this was an unacceptable division. He firmly believed that Papua belonged within the Indonesian nation, united by shared history, geography, and destiny.
In 1946, he joined the Komite Indonesia Merdeka (KIM) in Abepura and later became affiliated with the Partai Indonesia Merdeka (PIM), an organization advocating for Papuan integration. Indey’s courage in publicly declaring support for Indonesia at a time when the Dutch still dominated local politics was nothing short of extraordinary. He faced surveillance, intimidation, and threats but refused to abandon his ideals.
Throughout the 1950s, as Indonesia under President Sukarno intensified its campaign for the recovery of West Irian (now Papua), Indey became a key local ally. He reportedly helped Indonesian operatives during Operation Trikora in 1962—a military and diplomatic campaign aimed at ending Dutch rule. His familiarity with the terrain and his local networks made him invaluable. According to historical accounts, Indey provided safe passage and logistical support to Indonesian commandos who infiltrated the region.
When the New York Agreement was signed in August 1962, transferring administration of West Irian to Indonesia through the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA), Indey’s dream began to materialize. In 1963, Papua was formally integrated into Indonesia, marking the culmination of decades of struggle. For his role, Marthen Indey was appointed as a member of the Provisional People’s Consultative Assembly (MPRS) from 1963 to 1968, representing the voice of the Papuan people in the national legislature.
Legacy, Recognition, and Continuing Relevance
Marthen Indey passed away on July 17, 1986, in Jayapura, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate in modern Indonesia. His contributions were officially recognized when the Indonesian government, through Presidential Decree No. 77/TK/1993, conferred upon him the title of National Hero. The decree symbolized the nation’s gratitude for his lifelong struggle to unite Papua with Indonesia.
Today, Jayapura’s Rumah Sakit TK II Marthen Indey stands as a living monument to his service, while his tomb in Kampung Dosai, Sentani, has become a site of remembrance for those who seek inspiration from his life. Streets, schools, and government buildings in Papua also bear his name—reminders of a man who dared to stand for unity in a time of division.
Beyond the symbolic honors, Marthen Indey’s story has deep contemporary meaning. Under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, the Indonesian government has increasingly emphasized national unity built upon respect for local heroes and regional identity. Recognizing figures like Indey helps strengthen the moral and historical foundation for Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to develop Papua and address its long-standing inequalities.
In an era where global and domestic politics often emphasize differences, Marthen Indey’s life offers a timeless message: that unity does not erase diversity; it harmonizes it. He was a Papuan, a former colonial policeman, a nationalist, and ultimately a unifier—identities that, though complex, form the essence of Indonesia’s “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (Unity in Diversity).
Lessons from Marthen Indey’s Life
The story of Marthen Indey carries at least three important lessons for Indonesia today.
First, local agency matters. Papua’s integration into Indonesia was not solely the result of external diplomacy or military action; it was also driven by the choices of indigenous Papuans like Indey, who envisioned their homeland as part of a broader national community.
Second, identity is layered and evolving. Indey’s life spanned multiple loyalties—from the colonial police to the nationalist movement. This shows that patriotism can emerge from unlikely origins, and transformation is part of the nation-building journey.
Finally, unity is built through respect. Honoring Papuan heroes and integrating their narratives into Indonesia’s national story is not just an act of remembrance; it is a pathway to reconciliation, mutual understanding, and lasting peace.
Conclusion
More than three decades after his passing, Marthen Indey remains a symbol of courage, transformation, and national integration. His journey from Doromena to the Indonesian Parliament, from colonial service to patriotic resistance, reflects the complexity and richness of Papua’s role in Indonesia’s history.
As Indonesia continues its mission to develop its eastern provinces under President Prabowo Subianto, Indey’s spirit serves as a guiding light—reminding the nation that progress must be rooted in justice, inclusion, and the recognition of every region’s contribution.
For the people of Papua, Marthen Indey is not just a hero of the past; he is a mirror of what the future can be—a future where the voices of the highlands, the coasts, and the valleys all echo the same conviction: that the red and white flag belongs to them as much as to anyone else across the archipelago.