By : Ones Yikwa )*
KST spread hoaxes and accused the authorities of doing something they shouldn’t. The Papuan people are urged not to believe the hoaxes and propaganda made by the separatist group. KST deliberately spread it and made slander, even though this was not in accordance with the facts.
Hoaxes are fake news or photos that are deliberately spread for a specific purpose, perhaps to overthrow political opponents or create psychological riots. Unfortunately, in recent years, it seems that we have been invaded by the existence of hoaxes, especially in cyberspace. So that the people are worried, and they are afraid that the hoax will bring victims if it is not immediately eliminated.
One of the hoaxes that spread was the news that the authorities shot local residents in Puncak Regency. Kapendam XVII/Cenderawasih Colonel Kav Herman Taryaman spoke about the news that a TNI soldier shot a resident with the initials TM (35 years) in Pamebur Village, Yugumuak District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, Sunday 5 March 2023.
Colonel Kav Herman said the news was fake news, aka hoax, which was deliberately spread by the Terrorist Separatist Group (KST). KST and sympathizers and groups of provocateurs and terrorists wanted to undermine the authority of the apparatus who were focused on protecting the public.
Even though the truth is that when TM was shot by KST, the TNI soldiers immediately evacuated. However, after that KST was still hiding and then shot at the security forces and resulted in the death of 1 TNI soldier (Yonif R 303/SSM). Currently the soldier has been buried in Makassar, where he came from.
Colonel Kav Herman continued, the circulation of the photo of the body of the victim who died (the resident with the initials TM) was a traditional event that was deliberately carried out by local adat because he was a shooting victim from the KST. Which means it is a customary event to carry out blood revenge to replace the deceased victim.
The public is asked to be aware of propaganda and hoaxes that are deliberately spread by KST. Hoaxes must be removed because the short news that is being spread, especially on social media and WA groups, actually messes things up. In fact, it can cause friction between residents and officials. Even though the presence of the apparatus in Papua is to protect the community from the ferocity of KST.
Remember that the apparatus is a friend of the people. They exist to protect the community, especially in vulnerable areas such as Puncak Regency. Therefore, residents are advised to remain calm and not be provoked by hoaxes that have already spread on social media.
KST deliberately spread propaganda and hoaxes because they understand that Papuans are active netizens. But they forget that people already have good internet literacy, so they are not easily influenced by photos and hoax news in cyberspace.
Meanwhile, another hoax circulating in Papua is a photo of a pilot holding the Morning Star flag (which is the flag of an independent Papua). The pilot’s name is Capt. Phillips Marten who is still a victim of KST’s kidnapping.
Pangdam XVII/Cenderawasih TNI Maj. Gen. Muhammad Saleh Mustafa stated that the photo of Capt. Phillips is a hoax. The pilot is still in the search phase. It is not true that he supports Papuan independence and becomes KST’s subordinates.
Papuans must be wary of hoaxes because apart from disturbing the community, they attack their psychological side. As a good citizen, don’t easily believe news when it’s spread, especially only on social media or WA groups.
Don’t be easy to spread it without checking first. Currently, there are sites that can be used to check whether news is based on facts or hoaxes. If there is a hoax, immediately delete it and warn other group members not to believe it.
The public is also asked not to believe if there is sensational news on social media, because it could just be a hoax. When there are accusations that the apparatus did something negative, then don’t get emotional.
Confirmation is very much needed because if the community of origin shares it, the consequences will be very fatal. Don’t become a hoax spreader and cause many people to join in with antipathy towards the authorities. Even though the apparatus are friends of the people and do not have the heart to do negative things such as arson, in fact the large number of officers in Papua is to protect civil society.
The reason is, just this time, KST is spreading hoaxes and provocations on social media. Some time ago they made fake news stating that the existence of the apparatus in Papua was to eradicate the Melanesian race. Even though this is clearly wrong, because the apparatus actually came to help the people and protect them from the violence of KST.
Therefore, the Papuan people must use logic and not be short-lived when hoaxes are spreading on social media. Think about it first, is it true or a lie? Don’t let things get complicated and KST laugh because many are caught up in provocation.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Makassar
