By: Dany Satria
Papua often receives negative news due to ongoing conflict and tension. One of the most prominent issues is the activities of the Free Papua Organization (OPM), a group that claims to be fighting for Papuan independence from Indonesia. OPM’s actions, which often involve violence, have had serious impacts, not only on national security, but also on local communities trapped in uncertainty.
OPM has long attempted to fight for Papuan independence from Indonesia through various means, including attacks on security forces and civilians. These attacks often occur in hard-to-reach areas, such as mountains and dense forests, which makes prosecuting them a challenge. Their violence has resulted in many casualties and damaged important infrastructure, such as bridges, government offices and schools.
They not only attacked military posts, but also targeted construction project workers, whom they saw as a symbol of “colonization” by the central government. These actions have forced many development projects in Papua to be postponed or temporarily stopped, which of course has a negative impact on the government’s efforts to improve the welfare of the people in the region.
In response to this threat, the government has committed to taking firm action. Taking action against the OPM and other separatist groups is a top priority in order to maintain the country’s security and sovereignty. The TNI and Polri have carried out coordinated military operations to crush these groups, although such operations often face tough challenges due to difficult terrain and local support for separatist groups in some areas.
Kapen Kogabwilhan III, Colonel Inf Winaryo said the OPM carried out an attack on a helicopter pilot belonging to the aviation company PT Intan Perkasa Air Service. The attack caused the death of one pilot, Glen Malcolm, a New Zealand citizen. The action took place in Alama District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province.
The Alama District area is De Jure and De Facto clearly part of the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, which provides opportunities for any civil aviation as long as it complies with applicable rules and laws. The helicopter belonging to PT Intan Angkasa with flight number PK-IWN Type MD-500 which was later carried by the late Glen Malcolm Conning is an official flight that has been registered in the civil aviation schedule for Monday (5/8/2024). The helicopter rented by the Mimika Health Service departed from Timika at 09.30 WIT and was planned to arrive in Alama at 10.25 WIT.
However, this was due to the actions of the OPM Group which considered the flight to be a prohibited flight in the Alama area. OPM’s actions that violate Human Rights (HAM) by taking the lives of ordinary and innocent civilians have been considered normal by the TPNPB OPM. Human rights violations like this have not happened once, but have been carried out frequently by OPM over the years. Therefore, it is the duty and responsibility of the Security Forces, TNI and Polri to uphold law and justice for the sake of stability, security and peace in the Papua region.
Meanwhile, Head of Information for the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Regional Command, Lieutenant Colonel Candra Kurniawan, said that efforts to achieve peace in Papua would be disrupted if an armed attack by the OPM occurred, causing ordinary civilians to die. Therefore, strict law enforcement against all separatist movements in Papua needs to be carried out. Violence must not be allowed to develop without decisive action. The government also continues to strive to approach it very carefully, so as not to increase the suffering of an already traumatized community. Security operations are carried out by prioritizing human rights, ensuring that civilians do not become additional victims in this conflict.
The firm action taken by the government is not only limited to security operations. The government is also trying to break the chain of support received by these separatist groups, both from within the country and abroad. In this case, strict law enforcement against parties who provide logistical, financial and information support to OPM is very important.
On the other hand, diplomatic efforts are also important in dealing with the Papua issue at the international level. The government continues to communicate the steps it is taking to maintain its territorial integrity while emphasizing that the firm actions it is taking are to protect citizens and maintain national security.
Solidarity and support from all Indonesian people is also very necessary. Papua is an inseparable part of Indonesia, and threats to Papua are threats to the entire nation. Therefore, efforts to end terror in Papua must be a common concern, and all elements of the nation need to unite to support the government’s firm actions in maintaining the country’s security and sovereignty.
Eradicating OPM terror is not only about maintaining territorial sovereignty, but also about ensuring that the Papuan people can live in peace and prosperity without fear of violence. With firm but fair action, it is hoped that the threat of separatism in Papua can soon be ended, paving the way for a more peaceful, stable and prosperous Papua in the future.
*) The author is a political observer