By: Sherina Lokbere
Security forces continue to increase security ahead of the anniversary of the Free Papua Organization (OPM) on December 1. This step was carried out to be aware of and anticipate the heinous actions of the Separatist and Terrorist Groups (KST).
When they first joined as a province in Indonesia, the people of Papua (formerly Irian Jaya) voted in the Pepera (the determination of the people’s opinion). As a result, they chose to join Indonesia, and indeed, according to international law, the former Dutch colony in Indonesia automatically became an archipelago.
However, the OPM did not agree with the results of the Act of Free Choice, and chose to rebel to this day. In fact, the Act of Free Choice has been passed for decades and the results are valid and recognized by national law and international law. However, the OPM still wanted to be independent and carried out a guerrilla rebellion.
Ahead of the OPM anniversary, December 1 was a tense day, because the residents were afraid they would do something wrong. Apart from the tradition of going down the mountain, OPM members may be arrogant and force residents to raise the Morning Star flag. Even though the people clearly don’t want to, so there is the potential for conflict to occur on the Earth of Cendrawasih.
Deputy Governor of Akpol Brigadier General (Pol) Awi Setiyono stated that there were early prevention efforts, carried out by the Papuan Police, so as to minimize riots ahead of the OPM anniversary. Since the beginning of November, the Papuan Police have carried out various things, ranging from counseling, patrolling, to other preventive activities.
These steps were taken to prevent riots ahead of the OPM anniversary. We certainly don’t want the tragic event to repeat itself, when KST members attacked an officer on patrol and one member was shot, last October in Kiwirok. In addition, in September 2021, KST also brutally attacked the health workers, causing fatalities.
Counseling is carried out to remote areas, with the aim that the community is always aware of KST and OPM attacks. They must have memorized the date of OPM’s birthday, so they can take preventive action. On December 1, they can continue their activities outside their homes, but they are asked to increase their vigilance.
The public also realized the dangers of OPM and KST, and they agreed to refuse to fly the Morning Star flag on December 1st. Some even volunteered to be informants, so that they could prevent the riots from occurring.
In addition, members of the National Police are more intense in conducting patrols ahead of December 1. The public is asked not to be surprised when there are officers who raid during patrols. The goal is good, because there could be OPM or KST members who disguise themselves and secretly carry sharp weapons or firearms in their bags.
More troops will be deployed in patrols, 17,000 joint members from the Police and Brimob will be on standby to maintain the conduciveness of Papua. The public is asked to act naturally when more officers are deployed. All of this is done in order to maintain peace on the Earth of Cendrawasih.
Members of the National Police and all other officers devote time, energy, and attention, as well as focus, ahead of the OPM anniversary. The safety of citizens is number 1, so they must be kept away from potential attacks by the OPM. OPM’s birthday should not be celebrated brutally, because they are a banned organization.
Approaching the OPM anniversary on December 1, there are many preventive actions taken by the authorities. Starting from counseling to raids, all this is done by members of the National Police, and is more serious in preventing riots in Papua.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Surabaya
