goodmorningpapua.com-Johannes Abraham Dimara is a National Hero from Papua, he was born in North Biak, Papua, on April 14, 1916. Johannes Abraham Dimara was awarded the title of the National Hero by the government with the released of Presidential Decree no. 113/TK/2011.
As a child he was named Arabei but after being adopted by Elias Mahubesi his name changed to Johannes Abraham Dimara. He was born in North Biak, on April 14, 1916, his father was a Korano (a head of village) named Willem Dimara. Like other children, Arabei by his father was sent to an elementary school in his village, under the tutelage of Tuan Guru Simon Soselisa.
Arabei left his hometown for his new world of Ambon. Furthermore, the Police Chief, Mahubesi, has officially become his adoptive father. The name Arabei, was replaced by the baptismal name of Johanes Abraham. The surname is still used. His new name became Johanes Abraham Dimara. Johanes finished his education at the elementary school level in 1930, then continued to the Graduate School of Agriculture in 1935. Finally he became a teacher at the Bible school in Kecamatan (Leksula), P. Buru under the tutelage of a Dutch priest.
In 1946, he participated in the Raising of the Red and White Flag in Namlea, Buru island. He also fought for the return of the territory of West Irian to the hands of the Republic of Indonesia. In 1950, he was appointed Chairman of the OPI (Organization for the Liberation of West Irian). He also became a member of the TNI and infiltrated in 1954 which caused him to be arrested by the Royal Dutch army and exiled to Digul, until finally being released in 1960.
When President Soekarno announced Trikora, he became a model of a young Papuan figure and together with Bung Karno joined in calling for Trikora in Yogyakarta. He also called on the entire community in the West Irian region for supporting of the unification of the West Irian region into the lap of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. In 1962, the New York Agreement was signed.
He became one of the delegates with the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs. The contents of the agreement finally required the government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to be willing to hand over the territory of West Irian to the government of the Republic of Indonesia. So from that moment on, the territory of West Irian became a part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
During the August 17 parade in front of the palace (at that time there was no Monas), Dimara wore a broken chain. Bung Karno saw it and was inspired to make a statue of the liberation of West Irian. So, a statue of the liberation of West Irian was made at a location less than 1.5 km from the State Palace, namely at Lapangan Banteng.
Dimara told this story in a book written by Carmelia Sukmawati entitled, Fai Do Ma, Mai Do Fa, Cross Struggle for Papuan Sons, J.A. Dimara (2000).
Johanes Abraham Dimara died in Jakarta on October 20, 2000. He received a mark of appreciation from the government in the form of the Satyalancana War of Independence and Satyalancana Bhakti. For his services, the Government of Indonesia awarded the title of National Hero based on Presidential Decree No. 113/TK/2011.