By: Moses Walker )*
The government prioritizes dialogue in handling the security situation in Papua. This approach is expected to accelerate the realization of the security situation on the Earth of Cendrawasih.
Security in Papua is one of the government’s concerns because until now there are still threats from separatist and terrorist groups (KST). However, the way to deal with these rebel groups is not with a spartan one, but with a humanist approach and heart-to-heart dialogue. This method is considered more effective than the previous one.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD stated that the government would prioritize dialogue and a welfare approach in overcoming the situation in Papua. This strategy is in accordance with the mandate of Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2020 concerning the acceleration of welfare development in the Provinces of Papua and West Papua and Law No. 2 of 2021 concerning Special Autonomy in Papua.
Mahfud MD added, Papua is part of the Republic of Indonesia and his party has mapped out which parts there are ‘hot’ areas, aka conflict-prone. For example in Intan Jaya, Yahukimo, and several other places where violence has occurred due to the KST attack. In a sense, hot areas are only in that way, so that they can ward off the issue that Papua is not safe.
By mapping it can be seen which areas are red areas and more intensive dialogue will be carried out there. It is hoped that with the hearing between representatives from the central government, regional representatives, security forces, and representatives of the Separatist and Terrorist Group (KST), a bright spot will be found.
KST members can understand that what they have asked for from the central government so far has been granted. KST and OPM have been demanding that Papua be prospered by the government, and now the evidence is that there is a trans-Papua road and many other infrastructures built for the people. Civil society is also increasingly prosperous and no longer lives below the poverty line.
With this awareness, it is hoped that KST will stop its plans, especially the strong desire to rebel. There is no need to create a federal republic of West Papua because it will only be in vain, because other civil society will not follow it. The reason is because the majority of people on Earth of Cendrawasih love the Republic of Indonesia.
It is hoped that a heart-to-heart dialogue will awaken many KST personnel and will also be assisted by religious leaders. If there are priests and priests who come forward then the members of the rebel group will respect him, then listen to his advice.
In addition, when a KST member finally repents, he will be happily accepted. When he surrenders himself to the lap of the Republic of Indonesia, he will not be arrested by the security forces (provided that he surrenders his weapons). In fact, he will be helped to find a new job.
The approach with dialogue and welfare is expected to be a new chapter and will make many KST personnel submit themselves to the lap of the motherland. With a heart-to-heart dialogue, the former KST members will realize that their actions have been wrong all this time, and then cancel their intention to rebel.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Bali