By: Rebecca Marian) *
Opinion, suaradewata.com – Resolving a polemic in Papua is not possible with the withdrawal of TNI / Polri troops. Considering that the area is suspected to be prone to conflict and the nesting of the Free Papua Organization (OPM) The existence of the TNI / Polri also received full support from the community because it was considered capable of maintaining security and stability.
Papuan mourning continues, conflict after conflict arises. Although initially the OPMs were the cause of the Earth Cendrawasih chaos, there were public officials in Papua who instead asked for the opposite. They called for the immediate withdrawal of TNI / Polri troops from the conflict zone, Nduga. They considered that the presence of security forces actually hampered its citizens. Especially when undergoing normal daily activities.
In line with this report, the Head of Information for the Kodam XVII / Cenderawasih Col. Inf Muhammad Aidi said that Papua Governor Lukas Enembe and the Papuan People’s Representative Council (DPRP) should not ask the TNI-Polri to withdraw all of its troops from Nduga Regency, Papua.
He said if the TNI-Polri were withdrawn, the authorities could be considered as omitting. Because according to him, in Nduga serious violations of law had occurred and it was necessary to get strict legal action.
Aidi emphasized that the presence of TNI-Polri forces in Nduga was to carry out the main task of protecting and protecting Indonesian territory. He said separatist groups in Papua had committed human rights violations as well as against the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.
In addition, Aidi added that there were still around four employees of PT Istaka Karya whose fate was unknown and still missing. He said he was still searching for the whereabouts of the four victims. Aidi will firmly not withdraw troops from Nduga Regency.
He even considered that the request to withdraw troops showed that the Governor and the Council did not understand the main tasks and functions as leaders and representatives of the people.
He said if, Luke Enembe should be able to act in accordance with Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government. That the obligation of regional heads is to maintain and maintain the integrity of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia and implement national strategic programs. If the Governor acts to support the separatist struggle for Free Papua and rejects national strategic program policies, the Governor is considered to have violated the State Law and should be prosecuted according to law, he added.
Aidi again explained, the presence of TNI-Polri forces in Papua was not to frighten let alone kill the people of Papua. So that people do not need to feel disturbed. Precisely what must be disturbed are those who have committed crime to slaughter innocent civilians.
Wakapendam XVII / Cenderawasih Lieutenant Colonel Inf Dax Sianturi, also gave his opinion. He stressed that there were several considerations for assigning TNI soldiers to remain in the Nduga region. According to him, the facts in the past year showed that security disturbances in Nduga were quite high in frequency with quite a large number of victims. In addition, Nduga is part of the Republic of Indonesia. This means that the people in the area are not only native citizens, but also other Indonesian citizens.
Another fact revealed by Dax related to the victims of OPM atrocities based there was an average citizen, so the TNI had to be present to protect every Indonesian citizen.
Dax emphasized that the existence of the armed Separatist criminal group (KKSB) led by Egianus Kogoya in Nduga was also a matter of consideration for the existence of the TNI which also had a function to carry out law enforcement. Based on these facts the TNI / Polri will keep their troops in Nduga.
Regarding the statement that said the people of Nduga were afraid of the presence of TNI troops, Dax also denied it. The TNI / Polri has the duty to protect the Papuan people there. In fact, Dax questioned the position of the Nduga regent who should be an extension of the central government to run the government and succeed in development.
Even with the case of Vice Regent (Deputy Regent) Wentius Nimiangge who resigned because he felt disappointed at the shooting of citizens who continue to occur. This is very unfortunate. If they demand the resignation of the security forces, then why don’t they ask the KKSB and OPM who are native local residents to stop causing chaos.
In essence, the existence of the TNI / Polri actually wants to protect Papuans, and not intervene. If regional leaders, governors and regents want troops to withdraw from conflict areas, what will happen to the citizens? Isn’t this the same as suicide? After all, all this time in fact the Separatist group continued to roam the region. Therefore the steps taken by the government and the TNI / Polri to continue mobilizing troops in Nduga are the right decision. For the sake of the realization of conduciveness and security in Nduga.
) * Papuan female writer living in Jakarta