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countries became the key of the organization. The challenge for PIF is how to avoid the
socio-political issues that often disturb the relations of the countries in the Pacific. In the
next trade strategy of the Pacific community is to build a new organization, The Pacific
Islands Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA), which accepted Australia and New Zealand as
new members in 2010. In its development, the European Union also joined the organization
which next became The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) which is
still under PIF (Levi, 2004).
In the next step came Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the combination
between the countries under PIF and African Caribeans Pacific (ACP) to strengthen the
relationship among the developing countries in Pacific and Africa. But then there were a
lot of changes and development that gave a lot of input to PIF so it became the Melanesian
Spearhead Group (MSG). The most important thing that became the keywords for any MSG
members were: “Let us build a stronger Melanesia in the Pacific where peace, progress,
and prosperity is ensured and sustained for all.” The image of the strength of the words
can be compared to the issue from Majapahit in King Hayam Wuruk hundreds of years ago.
Even in the regional perspective, the ideals can be compared to Gadjah Mada’s thoughts.
Recently there was a monumental event on June 26, 2015, in Heritage Park Hotel in
Honiara, the center of Solomon Islands. Indonesia was legally accepted as an associate
member whose role and position are the same with the full members of MSG. Positive
feedback came from all members of MSG community, such as PNG, Fiji, Vanuatu, New
Caledonia, and Solomon Islands. They accepted Indonesia with full enthusiasm as the
representatives of Melanesia in Indonesia were present from East Nusa Tenggara, North
Maluku, South Maluku, Papua, and West Papua. Indonesian councils represent more than
10 million Melanesian people in Indonesia, which accounts for 60% of Melanesian people
all over Indonesia.

Comparison of Melanesian Elements
The next topic is some cultural elements the Pacific society, which also work for the
ethnic groups in Melanesian people in general, including Indonesia. Two researchers from
Divine Word Madang University, PNG, discussed a spiritual reflection on the root culture
of Melanesian society in the context of Papua New Guinea (PNG), which can be found in
Melanesian Indigenous Knowledge and Spirituality (Nongkas and Tivinarlik, 2004).
The cultural element of traditional Melanesian society in the context of Papua New
Guinea (PNG) can be found in the life of the native people. They have unique characteristics

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