By: Rebecca Marian)*
The implementation of the XX National Sports Week (PON) is just a few days away. However, the public and security forces are asked to be aware of the Papuan Separatist and Terrorist Group (KST) maneuvers that could hinder these national activities.
On October 2-15, 2021, Indonesia will hold a big event in the form of an event in the form of the National Sports Week (PON) in Papua. The event is certainly not without criticism. Where the multi-pronged event will be overshadowed by the Separatist Terrorist Group (KST).
Anticipating the KST terror, the Joint Regional Defense Command (Korgabwilhan) III has coordinated with the ranks of the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command and the Papua Regional Police to ensure that PON can run safely.
TNI Lieutenant General Agus Rohman as Commander of Kogabwilhan III said that the strength of the TNI/Polri troops in Papua is now sufficient to ensure that the XX PON is held safely. Especially in Timika, which is one of the sub-clusters that organize XX PON for several sports, Lt. Gen. Agus also guarantees that the TNI/Polri troops are adequately prepared.
He hopes that every contingent from each province that will travel to Papua to be able to take part in XX PON can involve TNI/Polri officials related to the coordination of their security while in Papua.
Mimika Regent Eltinus Omaleng emphasized that security in his area was guaranteed enough for all contingents who would take part in the XX Papua PON in Timika. Omaleng admitted that until now there is still potential for security disturbances by KST in Timika, especially in the Tembagapura district and the Kali Kopi area. The location is relatively very far from the center of Timika Regency.
On a different occasion, Deputy Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Lt. Gen. TNI Teddy Lhaksmana Widya Kusuma said that KST in Papua had increased terror acts, some time the terror was aimed at thwarting the implementation of the PON in October. He said that KST wanted to thwart PON in order to attract international attention.
KST also intends to thwart PON to create instability to attract the world’s attention. Teddy said KST was also active in carrying out terror specifically in the Puncak Regency area, Papua. They also carry out routine consolidation with regard to the TNI-Polri guarding the area.
Teddy said that BIN continues to provide support to the TNI-Polri Task Force to continue pursuing and destroying KST. One of them is by breaking the logistics network. The State Intelligence Agency has mapped the potential for security vulnerabilities at the upcoming XX Papua PON. There are at least 4 regions that carry out the match. Among them are Jayapura City, Jayapura Regency, Mimika and also Merauke.
From the mapping, several potential vulnerabilities were found, but joint operations have been carried out to prevent and cut these potentials so that they do not become a real disturbance.
PON XX in Papua is a big event and a source of pride for Papua and Indonesia, so security at the event must be maintained. What needs to be done is the pattern of the security system, either open or closed. This needs to be done, following the planned visit of the head of state and the ambassador, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
Even though the Papuan people have stated that they are ready for the implementation of this grand event, it is possible that disturbances could occur. So that all steps and efforts to maintain conduciveness in Papua must continue to be realized.
Of course, there is no tolerance for separatist groups who continue to undermine the country. They act on behalf of the Papuan people to gain independence. Even though some of the people of Cenderawasih Earth themselves claim that they are part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia at any time.
So it is not surprising that the violence they carried out indicated the intervention of outsiders who commanded the group. Starting from the supply of weapons to funding. Both the rebellion and KST’s rejection of government programs, provide evidence that they do not want to see the progress of the land of Papua. Even their leaders who are currently abroad do not seem tired of bringing up oblique issues related to what is happening in Papua.
XX PON is a very important event for Papua Province because the sporting event will improve the economy of the people in the villages, as well as being evidence of the government’s efforts in realizing equitable development.
The separatist group’s maneuvers should be watched out for, lest the event involving athletes from all over Indonesia be disturbed by the petty behavior of the Separatist Terrorist Group (KST).
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Jakarta