Security Forces Deploy Troops to Intensify Law Enforcement on OPM
By: Patricia Oktavia Sikoway )*
Security forces are increasingly taking action against the Free Papua Movement (OPM). Law enforcement operations continue to be strengthened to ensure security stability in Papua. The Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force has deployed troops to hunt down and arrest OPM members who have been fugitives.
One of the latest successes in the operation was the arrest of Yantis Murib alias Nosin Murib, a fugitive from the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM).
The arrest took place in Sentani, Jayapura, on Friday, January 31, 2025. Yantis is part of a group led by Jeki Murib alias Papuanus alias Kasuari and has long been on the wanted list.
The Head of the Cartenz Peace Task Force Operations, Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, revealed that Yantis Murib lives in Kampung Pinggil/Eronggobak, Puncak Regency, and has been involved in various acts of violence in Papua.
Yantis is suspected of playing a key role in the shooting incident against civilians in Ilaga in 2024, which caused a victim named Suherman to suffer a gunshot wound to the leg. In addition, during the operation, officers secured evidence in the form of identity cards, wallets, plane tickets, beaded necklaces, noken, and some cash.
On the other hand, security forces continue to urge the public to play an active role in maintaining security in the Papua region. Head of the Public Relations Task Force for the Cartenz-2025 Peace Operation, Senior Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo, emphasized that cooperation between officers and the community has brought stability to Papua.
His party appealed to the public to immediately report if they find suspicious activities that have the potential to disrupt order. The success of eradicating OPM does not only depend on the authorities, but also on how the community participates.
The existence of OPM continues to be an obstacle to the development of Papua. Attacks on security forces, intimidation of civilians, and other destructive actions further complicate the government’s efforts to improve the welfare of the Papuan people. Infrastructure supporting accessibility and economic progress is often damaged. As a result, many residents are forced to flee to save themselves.
The Indonesian National Police and TNI continue to optimize the eradication of OPM more effectively. However, they often spread propaganda to create unrest in society. One of the propaganda that has recently spread is the claim that OPM managed to steal two firearms belonging to Polri members in Puncak Jaya Regency, Central Papua. The Indonesian National Police (Polri) firmly denied the claim and emphasized that the information circulating was just a hoax aimed at worsening the situation.
Brigadier General Pol. Faizal Ramadhani said that the narrative created by OPM has no basis and valid facts. The information is only intended to provoke security forces and create instability in Papua. However, these efforts will not slacken the steps of the authorities in enforcing the law and maintaining public order.
In addition to facing armed threats, security forces must also anticipate the social impacts caused by separatist group propaganda. OPM often uses social and political issues to gain sympathy, both from local communities and the international community.
They build a narrative as freedom fighters, even though their actions are actually detrimental to the Papuan people. Many Papuans actually want a peaceful life and sustainable development, but the violent actions carried out by OPM hinder the realization of this.
In the midst of efforts to eradicate OPM, the government remains committed to encouraging development in Papua. Various infrastructure projects, such as the construction of roads and public facilities, continue to be worked on to improve connectivity and community welfare. Education and health are also priorities, because these two sectors play an important role in creating a more prosperous and competitive generation of Papuans.
However, the achievement of this development is highly dependent on stable security conditions. Security forces ensure that law enforcement operations against OPM are not only aimed at prosecuting perpetrators of crimes, but also provide guarantees for the community to be able to live safely without the shadow of terror. Sustainable development can only be realized if the threat from separatist groups can be minimized significantly.
Meanwhile, the TNI Commander, General TNI Agus Subiyanto emphasized that changing combat tactics is one of the strategic steps in dealing with OPM. Evaluation of war doctrine continues to be carried out to adjust to the challenges in the field. The infantry tactics applied by the troops continue to be updated to be more effective in dealing with separatist groups that often carry out surprise attacks.
General Agus emphasized that this change in strategy aimsto improve the combat readiness of TNI troops in Papua. If OPM intends to attack, they must think again because every attack they carry out will end in defeat on their side.
His party also encouraged all ranks to continue to develop new ideas in combat, so that law enforcement operations against separatist groups can run more effectively.
The security forces will continue to intensify operations to ensure that Papua is free from separatist threats. With full support from the community and an updated strategy, security stability in Papua can be maintained, so that national development can proceed without disruption.
The success of eradicating OPM is not only a victory for the security forces, but also for all Papuan people who want a safer and more prosperous future. (*)
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Yogyakarta