Currently, the government, through the security forces, continues to make serious efforts to take firm action against the Free Papua Organization (OPM), which has carried out massive acts of violence against civilians and security forces. Security forces continue to try to uncover and arrest OPM members who are involved in attacks on security forces and civilians, who carry out murders, kidnappings and other negative activities. Therefore, various traditional leaders and the Papuan community strongly criticize and support the security forces’ efforts to take firm action against the increasingly disturbing OPM.
In eradicating OPM, joint TNI and Polri officers continue to use various methods to narrow their movement in vulnerable areas of Papua. One of them is carrying out patrols at a number of points, which are areas prone to attacks on civilians.
Papuan youth leader, Ali Kabiay, said that his party fully supports the efforts made by the security forces in taking firm action against the OPM. Because OPM is a source of chaos and is involved in a series of violence that harms civilians, threatens regional stability, and disrupts the daily lives of the Papuan people.
Firm action against the OPM is very necessary to maintain the peace and security of the Papuan people, as well as ensuring that law and order are maintained. So the Papuan people must fully support the security forces in taking firm action against the OPM. Apart from that, according to Ali, the actions carried out by OPM were very disturbing and crossed the line of humanity. Therefore, security forces must act firmly in dealing with the OPM, so that security and equitable development in Papua can be realized immediately.
Papuan traditional leader Herman Albert Yoku also said the same thing, saying that his party condemned OPM’s actions which were considered to have violated many human rights. OPM carried out murders of civilians on the pretext of fighting for Papuan independence, even though not all Papuans want Papua to be independent.
According to him, only a small number of people with personal interests use the symbol of Free Papua as a tool to fight the government. It is also hoped that the Papuan people will not be provoked by what OPM has done so far. They are liars, because their efforts to date have had no results and have only been a waste of time and energy.
On the other hand, development in Papua is currently being intensified by the government. There have been many concrete actions taken by the central government, even President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) pays great attention to the land of Papua. This is proven by the massive development in Papua and President Jokowi also visits Papua very often and even remote villages. Now is the time for all Papuan people to focus on hard work, working together, overcoming backwardness, and alleviating poverty to create prosperity in the land of Papua.
Accelerating development and improving the economy in Papua is one of the government’s focuses in encouraging equal distribution of prosperity and ensuring security in the Land of Papua. Several incidents of violence that occurred between the OPM and security forces and civil society made the government continue to make special efforts in handling them. For this reason, in dealing with OPM, the government is preparing strategic steps in the hope that the OPM problem can be handled well.
OPM has been the cause of chaos in Papua, and they have not only been involved in attacks on security forces and civilians, but also carried out kidnappings and murders of activists. Therefore, law enforcement against this group should be supported by the community, so that they no longer disrupt peace in the Land of Papua.
Meanwhile, Tribal Chief and Community Leader of Ketengban, Bintang Mountains, Andarias Leppi, said that his party urged the security forces to take firm action against the OPM which was increasingly disturbing the community. He also appealed to all elements of society to unite to support the security forces in maintaining the situation in Papua, especially in the Bintang Mountains.
The government has committed to addressing OPM through a comprehensive approach, combining security and development. The government is also trying to create safe and supportive conditions for the Papuan people. The Papuan people must feel blessed by the various natural resources they have. So that they can live in peace and prosperity in their own land, no longer having to face OPM or other forms of violence. The existence of the OPM is a frightening terror for the Papuan people. They cannot carry out activities freely as ordinary citizens. At all times they must be alert to the emergence of OPM who could take hostages or commit violence. It is time for the OPM to realize that the Papuan people are completely independent after joining Indonesia and gaining special autonomy. Apart from that, the Papuan people hope that there will be no more acts of brutal violence carried out by the OPM, and support the security forces’ firm steps in dealing with the OPM.
