By : Veronica Lokbere )*
Communities throughout Indonesia should continue to increase their self-awareness of fake news or hoaxes that are always spread by the Papuan KST gang to cover up the facts that are actually happening on the ground and replace it with framing that seems to state that their group is superior to the security forces of the country.
The Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), Admiral Yudo Margono said that all statements issued by the Papua Separatist and Terrorist Group (KST) were false statements, lies or hoaxes. This was in response to the many popping up and circulating on the internet to social media, that there were representatives from KST and also commented on the things that happened.
Therefore, according to Admiral Yudo, hoaxes are often deliberately spread by the Separatist and Terrorist Groups in Bumi Cenderawasih. The TNI Commander then hopes for the public that this clarification will become clearer and not create confusion over the news circulating on the internet and social media.
This is because some time ago news spread that it appeared as if the top military leadership was said to be on board a Boeing 737 series 200 aircraft that derailed at Mozes Kilangin Airport in Timika, Central Papua. However, it is clear that the news is fake.
Then there was another hoax spread by KST Papua that it was as if they had confessed to killing as many as 13 TNI soldiers during the rescue mission for Pilot Susi Air. In fact, what actually happened was that 3 TNI soldiers were killed.
On the other hand, Commander Yudo later emphasized that his party had set a combat alert status after the KST attack on TNI soldiers. The combat alert operation is devoted to several areas that do have a high level of vulnerability.
According to him, with the increase in status to combat alert, it is hoped that the soldiers will be able to increase their alertness. With increased alertness, it is hoped that all members of the security forces can be more responsive in dealing with all unexpected events that occur in the field.
Meanwhile, the Head of the TNI Information Center (Kapuspen), Rear Admiral (Laksda) Julius Widjojono claims that now the condition of KST Papua itself is in a pinch. He stressed that the public never believed any news or statements issued by representatives of the Separatist and Terrorist Groups. So it is clear that this attitude was carried out by those who were experiencing panic.
For him, so far what has been one of the strong indicators that KST Papua is indeed very squeezed is because they are spreading more and more fake news or hoaxes to the public and even asking for support from various parties.
Indeed, day by day, the movements of these separatist and terrorist groups are getting worse. Not only did they attack security forces, but they also carried out attacks on innocent civilian areas.
Therefore, as a result of the attack that occurred in the community area, namely in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua for 2 (two) consecutive days, now residents immediately equip themselves using bows. Residents admit that they are very annoyed by KST Papua’s actions because they often make civil society armbands so they really want to expel the group directly.
Regarding the attack on the area of civil society itself, this was justified by Kapendam XVII/Cenderawasih, Colonel Herman Taryaman. He revealed that KST Papua in Intan Jaya has indeed recently been harassing the security forces of the TNI, Polri and BIN and has even participated in terrorizing the community. Therefore, the residents immediately took up arrows to be able to expel KST Papua when it came to their village.
It didn’t just stop there, but Forkopimda elements were also known to give attention. They have also agreed to jointly be able to fight against the Separatist and Terrorist Groups in Papua, which so far has made the situation in the area unsafe.
Colonel Herman then guaranteed that the joint personnel security apparatus, TNI Polri and BIN would certainly be in the midst of society to provide a sense of security.
KST Papua is known for often covering up facts on the ground and replacing them with hoax news which states as if their side is far superior to the Indonesian security forces. Therefore, the whole community should continue to increase their awareness of hoaxes that are always spread by this group.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Yogyakarta
