Encouraging the Role of Religious Leaders to Embrace KST Back to the Republic of Indonesia
By: David Krei )*
Religious leaders in Papua have a central role in embracing members of the Papuan Separatist and Terrorist Group (KST) to return to the fold of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). It is hoped that with this subtle approach the KST members will be moved and realize that all their actions so far have been wrong.
KST Papua is a real threat to peace in Papua. The existence of these gangs only creates conflict and violence for the community. Various approaches have been taken by the government to make the group stop its heinous actions, including a humanist dialogical approach.
The dialogical and humanist approach is a new approach that will be taken by the Government to address security issues in Papua, including by encouraging the role of religious leaders. With the invitation of religious leaders, KST members are expected to repent and be willing to submit themselves to the lap of the motherland. The Papuan Regional Police Chief Inspector General Mathius D Fakhiri stated that he asked religious leaders to take a role in providing an understanding of KST.
Inspector General of Police Mathius added that the involvement of religious leaders can minimize conflict, so that separatist and terrorist groups no longer interfere with civilians and security forces on Cendrawasih Earth. Instead, they helped build Papua. The role of religious leaders is very important because if they continue to be approached, KST will realize and repent.
The role of religious leaders in eradicating KST is indeed very important because they are highly respected by Papuans, both civilians and those with status as members of rebel groups. If there are religious leaders who have a heart-to-heart dialogue, KST members will not dare to take up arms, because he has a high status in society. They appreciate the character.
If religious leaders are willing to cooperate in approaching KST, it is hoped that many KST members will repent and surrender themselves to the security forces. KST members will be touched by the approach by a religious leader and then realize that what he did was wrong, because he had hurt the heart and body of his own tribal brethren. Even though their original intention was prosperity by way of defection, but instead it ended in violence.
As religious leaders, priests and priests have their own charisma when dealing with KST members. They will be persuaded and shed tears because they are aware of their mistakes all this time. KST members are aware that many victims of their violence are civilians who have done nothing wrong.
There should be no rebellion because of the fact that currently the situation in Papua is modern and prosperous thanks to equitable development in the era of President Jokowi’s administration. This was preached by religious leaders in front of KST members.
The humanist approach by religious leaders is considered far more effective than the previous methods. The reason is, if you only use the old method to eradicate KST, it is considered less able to eliminate the rebel organization. The proof is that for years they still exist in Papua.
However, if there is a subtle approach and assisted by religious leaders, it will be more effective, because they will surrender themselves to the police station. KST members are also guaranteed not to be imprisoned when surrendering, instead being helped to find new jobs.
The role of religious leaders is very important in eradicating separatist and terrorist groups because they have charisma and their words will be obeyed by the people, including KST members. If religious leaders are willing to cooperate with the government, the eradication of KST will be carried out quickly.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Surabaya
