By: Jeremiah Kogoya )*
The Government Appreciates the TNI as well as the National Police who succeeded in establishing the leader of the Free Papua Movement Organization (OPM) Iris Murib when buying weapons. This proves that separatist groups want to carry out acts of violence ahead of the OPM Anniversary.
Ahead of the Independence Day anniversary of the Free Papua Organization which fell on 1 December 2019, the TNI and Polri were optimistic that they would arrest OPM officials. This was proven when the Papua Polda Special Team and the Nemangkawi Task Force succeeded in capturing OPM officials, Iris Murib on November 21, 2019. Iris was arrested while preparing for the anniversary of the Papuan separatist organization. He was arrested at exactly 14:21 at the Movers River, precisely on the Trans Timika-Nabire road, Iwaka District. Despite the resistance, Iris still successfully arrested.
Papua Police Chief Inspector General Paulus Waterpauw said that during the arrest process Iris Murib was forced to be shot, so he could not escape. According to Paulus, Iris was arrested while looking for ammunition supplies related to the December 1 2019 action plan. In addition, this OPM official is suspected to be joining other KKBs to the CopperPura region. Both originating from Intan Jaya, Sugapa and others.
In an article ‘Profile of Iris Murib, KKB Leader Known as Sadism with Black Notes’, Paulus Waterpauw said that Iris Murib and his group were considered extreme in carrying out their actions. Moreover, the OPM official is acting as the executor. Some dark history about Iris Murib was also revealed by Paul. Namely, around 2014 the group sheltered by Iris edited two police personnel in Ilaga, Puncak Papua District.
The attack caused Aipda Tomson Siahaan and Bripda Ari Aprianto to die, while preparing for the celebration of Christmas worship at the Church.
In 2015, Iris Murib launched an attack on the Sinak Sector Police. Which again claimed lives. Namely, three police personnel were killed, and one person was injured. Unmitigated he succeeded in seizing eight firearms and their ammunition. Paulus then appreciated the success of this joint team in capturing Iris Murib, because Iris Murib had been an operational target for a long time. His existence was so troubling because he was famous for being vile, sadistic and inhuman.
Even though the leader had been arrested, the security forces, both TNI and Polri, were still keen to create conditions so that the riots that occurred in several regions in Papua would not be repeated. Paulus also ensured that he would minimize the risk of conflict in areas considered vulnerable to the upcoming OPM Anniversary celebration.
The areas referred to include Jayawijaya Regency, Intan Jaya, Timika, Yahukimo, Jayapura Regency, Jayapura City, Tolikara, and also Nduga Regency. Not only that, the TNI continues to detect various movements of the Papua KKB early, especially in the Wamena area, Jayawijaya.
In addition to being aware of the KKB movement towards the vulnerable areas mentioned above, the TNI and Polri claimed to have known the location of the Egianus Kogoya group which had been suspected of being entrenched in Nduga. The security forces will always conduct an investigation by cooperating with people who are always supplying information. It is likely that the Egianus Kogoya group was in Kuyagawe, Lanny Jaya district.
Furthermore, the TNI carried out a number of approaches to the community by holding various activities. Including conducting Binter (Territorial Development) in an integrated manner. This activity aims to strengthen the relationship between the security forces and the community. The series of activities for the community include, social service, cleaning the church with the community, then the Boy Scout agenda, not forgetting national insight activities for school children, especially for high school students and students.
The arrest of this OPM Iris Murib official certainly cannot be separated from his tireless efforts. In fact, lives are at stake. Although it seems not worth the sacrifice, but this appreciation must be given. Considering they volunteered, they devoted themselves to their might. It is this appreciation that proves that the government has never turned a blind eye to the struggle they are waging.
The struggle has not stopped, there are still KKB and OPM parties who must be arrested. And eradicate everything related to this separatist group to the root. Don’t let them have a chance to screw the archipelago. Strengthen unity, avoid various negative provocations from various sources, be aware of all the possibilities that occur. Let’s keep Papua together, Papua is the Homeland DEAD PRICE!
)* The writer is a Papuan student living in Jakarta