By: Ester Magai)*
The government is fully committed to eradicating security disturbances caused by the Free Papua Movement (OPM) in order to maintain stability and security in Papua. These steps aim to create a conducive situation for the development and welfare of the Papuan people, in line with the government’s efforts to improve the quality of life and utilization of natural resources in the region. In addition, the government is also trying to involve local communities in the development process so that they feel safer and have an active role in maintaining the security of their region.
In an effort to create peace and stability in Papua, the government is increasingly intensifying its efforts to eradicate this armed group. The steps taken include a security approach and the development of socio-economic infrastructure aimed at strengthening the integrity of Papua as an inseparable part of Indonesia.
The government is strengthening integrated operations between the TNI and Polri to eradicate the OPM. This operation aims to paralyze armed groups that often carry out attacks on civilians and security personnel. This operation also targets the OPM’s logistics network and limits their movement in certain areas, especially in the mountains and forests of Papua.
Technology and information play a vital role in the efforts to eradicate OPM. The government is increasing intelligence capabilities to detect the movement and communication of the rebels. The use of drones and more sophisticated communication systems are also prioritized to monitor the activities of armed groups in hard-to-reach areas.
In addition to the military approach, the government is also trying to embrace Papuan community and traditional figures through dialogue. This aims to reduce the potential for conflict with a more humanistic approach and in accordance with Papuan local wisdom. A diplomatic approach is also carried out by involving Papuan religious figures and traditional leaders who have great influence among the local community.
In addition to the security approach, the government is also intensifying the welfare approach. Infrastructure development such as roads, bridges, airports, and health and education facilities continues to be accelerated in Papua. This infrastructure project not only aims to open access for remote areas, but also to create jobs and improve the welfare of the Papuan people.
In the long term, the government hopes that welfare and equitable development in Papua will be the key to stability and peace in the region. Inclusive and equitable development is believed to reduce social inequality which has been one of the causes of conflict.
Recently, there was good news about the release of the Susi Air pilot who was kidnapped by OPM by security forces. The TNI headquarters confirmed that it would not withdraw or add troops to Papua even though the operation to release the Susi Air pilot, Philip Mark Mehrtens, was completed.
Head of the TNI Information Center, Major General TNI Hariyanto said the presence of TNI soldiers and Polri personnel in Papua was to help the government improve development, the economy, and community welfare.
The presence of the TNI-Polri in the Nduga Regency area has had a positive impact in preventing disturbances carried out by separatist movements. According to Hariyanto, disturbances often carried out by separatist groups in Nduga have caused the social life of the people in Nduga to become abnormal.
If there is still an issue of troop withdrawal, it is a form of OPM provocation because additional troops will still be carried out considering the simultaneous Pilkada. Previously, the success of the soft approach in the operation to free Susi Air Pilot, Philip Mark Mehrtens was considered a precise effort in handling the humanitarian conflict in Papua.
Researcher from the Regional Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Professor Cahyo Pamungkas, said that the success of freeing Philip should be a precedent for the government, especially the TNI-Polri in handling the conflict in Papua.
The security approach in question is that the TNI-Polri will no longer send additional troops to Papua. According to him, the presence of organic troops in Papua owned by the Regional Military Command and the Regional Police is more than enough to maintain conduciveness.
Meanwhile, Philip Mark Merhtens was released by the OPM militia led by Egianus Kogoya on September 21, after being held hostage for almost 20 months in Papua. The New Zealand citizen was held hostage by Egianus’ militia after landing a Susi Air plane with the registration code PK-BVY at Paro airport, Nduga Regency on September 7, 2023.
The government is committed to maintaining the integrity of Papua and creating peace in the region. The increasingly intensive efforts to eradicate OPM are part of the government’s commitment to ensuring that the Papuan people can live safely and prosperously within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
Although challenges remain, an integrated approach involving security, development, and dialogue is key to creating long-term stability in Papua. With cooperation from the government, local communities, and traditional and religious leaders, the hope for a peaceful and stable Papua is getting closer to reality. Stability in Papua is not only important for the local community, but also for the progress of Indonesia as a whole.
)* The author is a student at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences
