By: Abner Wanggai) *
This year Papua will carve its history as the organizer of PON XX which is the largest multievent in Indonesia. However, the skewed response to security in the region seems to be pushed aside, because indigenous Papuans are peace-loving people who are determined to maintain conduciveness ahead of and during the PON XX.
The Provincial Government of Papua has guaranteed that there will be no obstacles during the implementation of XX PON relating to security and accommodation issues. The Papua Provincial Government has guaranteed that everything will be ready when the PON starts.
The Governor of Papua, Lukas Enembe, said that the conditions in Papua were the same as the other parts of the Republic of Indonesia (RI) such as Java, Jakarta, Sumatra, which were safe and there was nothing to be afraid of. So there is no problem for Papua.
In line with what was said by Governor Lukas Enembe, the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali also claimed that he was not worried about the security conditions in Papua. The Papuan people are also considered to be very ready to hold a PON.
To add strength, the National Police Headquarters is ready to send additional personnel to secure the XX National Sports Week (PON) Papua which takes place from October 20 to November 2, 2020.
Papua Police Chief Inspector General Paulus Waterpauw said, National Police Chief General Idham Azis had given the green light if the Papua Regional Police wanted to strengthen security.
The Papua Regional Police have prepared 4,500 personnel for the security of Papua PON XX which will take place in four cities, namely Jayapura City, Jayapura Regency, Timika Regency and Merauke Regency. This number includes Brimob Nusantara troops who are seconded from other regions.
On the previous occasion, the Head of the Public Information Bureau of the Public Relations Division of the National Police, Brig. Gen. Raden Prabowo Argo Yuwono invited all Papuans to help maintain security during the implementation of the Papuan XX PON.
Argo said, the security situation and the conduciveness of Papua when organizing XX PON will be a benchmark for all parties including investors. If there is investment into Papua, it will certainly have an impact on efforts to improve the welfare of the people of Papua.
According to Argo the joint personnel not only guarded the arena of the PON, but also escorted the contingents and athletes. The joint personnel will also take care of the accommodation of the athletes who take part in the 4-year event.
To maintain conduciveness and monitor security, police personnel will also be placed in shopping centers that will be visited by athletes, officials and supporters from each region and other strategic places such as tourist sites and others.
In addition to the Police, TNI officers will participate in security during PON XX in Papua. Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto as the Commander of the TNI said, One of them is that the TNI will be ready and alert to political turmoil that threatens security and stability in Indonesia.
According to him, Safeguarding PON XX 2020 in Papua, the TNI is also ready to provide security for the success of PON XX by thickening troops in several places because it will be held in 4 venues.
Not only that, the TNI will strengthen the Disaster Management Rapid Reaction Force (PRCPB) capable of carrying out tasks in 2 problem spots.
Appeals to maintain security also came from the Chairperson of the Papua Red and White Movement, Budi Waromi, who appealed to all people in the Land of Papua to participate in the success and support of the PON XX Performance to be held in Papua Province in October.
Rudi Waromi also appealed to the Papuan people to succeed in the XX PON event in October 2020 in Papua Province.
He said, the role of the Papuan people to succeed in this PON performance event was needed, bearing in mind that the Indonesian government had given the opportunity to the Land of Papua to present native Papuan athletes to perform at the National Sports Party which was held every 4 years.
In line with this, the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) Center is not only optimistic that the PON XX in Papua can be implemented successfully, but as a host, Papua can present a proud achievement.
The conduciveness of Papua in organizing PON XX is certainly not in doubt, all security forces such as the TNI and Polri have shown their good faith to work together to maintain security ahead of the 4-year multievent event.
) * The writer is a Papuan student living in Yogyakarta