Johannes Abraham Dimara

Major TNI Johannes Abraham Dimara (16 April 1916 – 20 October 2000) was an Indonesian National Hero from Papua.

Early life He was born Arabei Dimara in Korem, North Biak, Biak Numfor on 16 April 1916 to a korano (village leader) Willem Dimara. He was schooled in a primary school of his village under Tuan Guru Simon Soselisa. At the age of 13 with approval from his family, he was adopted by Elias Mahubesi a colonial police leader from Ambon. He was then baptised with the name Johannes Abraham while still keeping his family name. 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 Leksuka district, Buru Island.

Japanese forces entered Buru in early 1942, after which they closed all school. Priests and headmasters who funds the school were imprisoned and the teachers became unemployed. He at 26 years old then met with leadership of Japanese administration in Buru, Ishido, and the leader of Japanese occupation forces, Watanabe. As they were searching for a papuan member to join Kempei-Ho or Hei Ho. (Auxiliary units to help supplement the main Kenpeitai forces). Afterward he undergone military training and became member of Hei Ho forces under Japanese occupation in Buru island. He was released in 1960, and became Indonesian diplomatic delegation.

When President Sukarno proclaimed Operation Trikora in 1962, he and the President 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. Other Papuans in this delegation included Mary Dapare, Moses Weror and Mathias Wondiri.

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 (at that time there were no Monas) and Dimara, wearing chains, was severed in front of the crowds who attended 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 from Merdeka Palace at the grounds of Lapangan Banteng.

Honours

After Operation Trikora, Dimara was still technically a bintara (warrant officer), despite his involvement in multiple important battles. As a result, Sukarno pushed for extraordinary commissioning for Dimara as an army Major, becoming the only person in Indonesian military with such a fast promotion from the ranks of the senior enlisted. His training was conducted personally by the Vice chief of staff of the army, Gatot Soebroto on 28 April 1962 in Army Headquarters (MBAD).

His medals include:

Satyalancana Perang Kemerdekaan Kesatu Satyalancana Peristiwa Perang Kemerdekaan Kedua Satyalancana Satya Dharma Satyalancana Bhakti Satyalancana Gerakan Operasi Militer III Satyalancana Perintis Pergerakan kemerdekaan

For his services, Dimara was named, with Dr. J. Leimena, 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. While his son a punk rock aficionado, Yulianus Kores Dimara, died of Tuberculosis complications on 21 May 2020.