By: Viktor Awoitauw )*
A District Head in the Kenyam area deserves criticism for helping KST to supply firearms. He deserves to be arrested for being a traitor to the country. No Indonesian citizen should sympathize, let alone help KST in any way. Moreover, he served as district head who should have set an example, instead setting a bad example to his citizens.
When Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya) joined the Republic of Indonesia in 1969, there were a few elements who disagreed. They did not believe in the results of the Pepera (determination of the people’s opinion) even though it was clear that the majority of the people wanted to become Indonesian citizens rather than become Dutch colonies. The elements eventually formed the OPM (Free Papua Organization) which has accomplices called the Terrorist Separatist Group (KST).
The existence of KST is hated by the Papuan people because they often carry out attacks and terrorize. However, there were people who actually helped KST in supplying firearms. The Cartenz Peaceful Law Enforcement Task Force arrested the Head of the Kenyam District, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains, with the initials MM (37). He is suspected of being a supplier of firearms and ammunition to the armed criminal group (KKB).
Dansatgas Damai Cartenz Kombes Faizal Rahmadani confirmed the arrest. He said that the arrest was made last April, and is currently still being investigated. The arrest of MM was carried out because previously there were indications of his involvement in helping to fund the KKB in the Nduga region to purchase weapons and ammunition.
The Damai Cartenz law enforcement task force is still processing the case involving MM. The Cartenz Peace Task Force has secured 13 firearms and 710 rounds of various caliber ammunition from the KKB. Apart from firearms and ammunition, 16 magazines, 136 sharp weapons, 76 cell phones, 23 HT, four SSB radios, cameras and 7 binoculars were also secured. Then, there are also laptops and four Morning Star flags each.
The arrest of MM is a natural thing because he was guilty when he helped KST run the terror. MM can be charged/threatened with the terrorism law, because it helps smooth the actions of separatist and terrorist groups.
MM has become a traitor to the country, therefore it is appropriate to be arrested. Don’t let any of the next traitors secretly become sympathizers, even suppliers of weapons or money for KST. Therefore his arrest became shock therapy so that no one was determined to help KST Papua.
As a local official (district head), MM should set an example for his people. But he set a bad and embarrassing example by contacting KST to help supply its weapons.
Meanwhile, apart from tracing the suppliers of firearms, the authorities are also investigating who donated the money to KST. So far, it is suspected that there is a mastermind who supplied firearms and even cash. However, it is possible that the contribution will decrease, due to the pandemic that has hit Indonesia.
The source of KST funds is still being investigated and when they were caught, there was evidence of a transfer from Lekagak Telenggen to buy firearms. This was disclosed by Deputy Public Relations Task Force Cartenz AKBP Arief Fajar. This case is still in the investigation and investigation stage, and the police are trying to catch who is the main contributor to KST.
Political observer Al Chairi doubts who the KST donors are, because they might be forced to do so, for fear of losing their lives. If indeed the contributors are found, they should report it to the security forces. Instead of continuing to contribute and instead enriching the KST action in Papua.
KST’s economic motives are still being investigated, is it true that they are languishing in the forest, or are their donors starting to withdraw one by one. What is clear is that they feel the misery of the guerrillas themselves, so to drink plain water they have to ask local residents.
Meanwhile, KST eradication efforts also continue to be carried out to secure the community. Residents’ safety is prioritized because KST has been proven to have repeatedly carried out attacks. When civilians died as a result of KST’s actions, they reasoned that the victims were spies, even though the victims were ordinary civilians.
KST’s actions were clearly very miserable and created fear (terror) for the people, because the residents could not move freely, especially if their group was “descending the mountain” alias leaving the forest. The people are afraid of being attacked because from the past several incidents, there have always been casualties. Starting from school children, teachers, to health workers, all became victims of the very brutal KST attack.
Therefore, the security forces always protect residents so that they are not attacked by KST. Indeed, at this time there is a new strategy, namely the welfare approach. The Nemangkawi operation was changed to the Peaceful Carstensz operation. However, peace does not mean letting KST. Precisely KST must be arrested so that there is peace in society.
The arrest of a district head in the Kenyam area by the security forces deserves the support of the people, because this is proof that the state exists to protect the people. Meanwhile, MM must be held accountable for his actions, because he has become a traitor to the state. As a local official he should set a good example, not a bad one.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Bandung