Support the presence of the TNI/Polri to Create Peace Ahead of the OPM Anniversary
Approaching December 1 are stressful days because of the anniversary of the Free Papua Organization (OPM). The Papuan people fully support the presence of the TNI/Polri in Papua to maintain peace, especially ahead of the OPM Anniversary.
Papua is a popular area thanks to its natural beauty, and before the pandemic it became a tourist destination visited by local and foreign tourists. However, it is a pity that there is OPM which gives a bad image in Papua, as if it is not safe there, when in fact the opposite is true. Therefore, the OPM is always being chased by the authorities, especially the Nemangkawi Task Force, so as not to disturb the public.
December 1 is OPM’s birthday and is a tense day because they usually carry out the tradition of going down the mountain, aka appearing in the community. If they usually just guerrilla, on that birthday OPM members show off their firearms and fly the Morning Star flag.
Even though the Morning Star flag is invalid because Indonesian citizens can only fly the red and white flag. Therefore, the OPM is being hunted down and driven away, so as not to disrupt the situation in Papua, and influence the community to hold the Morning Star flag as well. They also have the potential to create chaos by forcing the Papuan people to defect.
Therefore, the joint forces of the TNI and Polri were deployed to maintain the conduciveness of Papua, ahead of December 1st. Deputy Governor of Akpol Police Brigadier General Pol Awi Setiyono stated that members of the National Police and TNI will conduct large-scale patrols in order to secure the community. There was even assistance from Brimob, to make the situation more conducive.
Security is indeed being made more stringent so that violence does not repeat itself. Don’t let there be a tragedy like last September, when KST attacked health workers in Kiwirok District and caused casualties. Or last October when KST attacked TNI soldiers who were on patrol. It could be that on December 1, they will again deliberately riot.
To secure Papua, there are at least 17,000 joint members from the TNI and Polri corps, as well as Brimob, who are deployed to secure Papua by December 1st. The number is indeed a lot because to anticipate so that negative things don’t happen. Isn’t prevention better than cure?
The presence of members of the TNI and Polri in Papua should also not surprise the public, even fear them. The commander of Korem (Danrem) 172/PWY Brigadier General Izak Pangemanan stated that the presence of the TNI in Papua is to create peace and security. Every member of the TNI is aware that their existence is to create stability and security, and to make civilians feel comfortable.
The large number of members of the TNI and Polri who were deployed ahead of the OPM anniversary did not make Papua a DOM or military operation area like the one in Aceh a few years ago. However, the officers were purely on guard and prevented any bad things from happening, because the OPM could be reckless to riot on their birthdays. They did the riots on purpose to attract public attention.
TNI and Polri soldiers are aware that they have come to Papua for a noble task, namely to protect the community. Meanwhile, civilians also feel comfortable when they are guarded by the apparatus, because thanks to their presence, the OPM will not dare to disturb. Even on his birthday though.
The presence of members of the TNI and Polri in Papua is to secure the situation there, ahead of the OPM anniversary. Prevention must be done so that the rebel organization does not intentionally create riots, and ultimately result in injuries to fatalities.
By: Alfred Jigibalom )* The author is a Papuan student living in Bali
