By: Devaryo Valarie )*
The Separatist Terrorist Group (KST) or the Free Papua Organization (OPM) is currently not deterred from continuing to carry out various acts of violence in the Land of Papua. The existence of the Papuan KST is increasingly brutal and inhumane. They have caused many casualties and damage, disrupting conduciveness on Earth of Cenderawasih. Seeing KST’s actions, the government and security forces certainly did not remain silent in taking firm action against their violence in accordance with applicable regulations.
KST’s track record of inhumane crimes and barbarism is clearly illustrated. KST’s brutality included the massacre of the Papuan Indigenous People (OAP) and innocent migrant communities as well as the security forces (Apkam) who were tasked with helping the community. KST also continually harasses and attacks security forces who are tasked with maintaining regional security in order to support the acceleration of welfare development for the progress of Papua. Apart from that, KST cruelly held Susi Air Philips Pilot Mark Marthens, a New Zealand citizen, hostage for more than a year.
Commander of the Joint Regional Defense Command (Pangkogabwilhan III), Lieutenant General Richard Tampubolon gave KST Papua an ultimatum to immediately stop their series of violent actions in recent times. First, KST immediately released the hostage of the Susi Air pilot, Philips Mark Marthens, this condition is now hampering transportation for the OAP community, including logistics supplies, especially in isolated districts. Second, asking to stop the massacre of innocent civilians and not to use local residents such as mothers and small children to support KST operations. Finally, asking KST to stop attacks on officers tasked with maintaining security in Papua. He reiterated that KST should heed what was conveyed for the sake of realizing the Land of Papua as a beautiful, peaceful and advanced paradise on earth.
OPM’s violent actions also received a negative response from the Chair of the Papua Land Student and Youth Forum (Formapa), Charles Kossay. He strongly condemned OPM’s disgraceful actions which damaged public facilities and disrupted development in the Land of Papua.
Charles Kossay said that his party strongly condemns the Armed Criminal Group or KST or OPM, whose actions in recent times have been very disgraceful and resulted in casualties, especially civilians.
OPM came to disturb civilians who were carrying out their usual activities, and also damaged public facilities there, namely the construction of hospitals, schools and development projects run by the state for the Land of Papua.
Charles Kossay reminded all the people of Tanah Papua to fully support the security forces (TNI/Polri) to take firm action against the Armed Criminal Group or OPM, whose actions or actions resulted in many victims including civilians and TNI/Polri officers in Tanah Papua. Apart from that, he also appealed to continue to support the development process that has been carried out by the state for the benefit of the people of Papua. Don’t let the actions taken by OPM disrupt, damage and slow down development in the Land of Papua.
Charles Kossay added that in the last decade, the government has paid attention to extending Special Autonomy and increasing the budget by 2.25%, so that development in Papua will be even more advanced. If the existence of the OPM or Armed Criminal Group continues to be allowed in Papua, it will disrupt the entire development process in Papua. Therefore, let us together protect the Land of Papua and strongly condemn the disgraceful actions carried out by the OPM because they will continue to disrupt all activities on the Earth of Cenderawasih.
The government through the Ministry of Finance has allocated funds for special autonomous regions (Otsus) in 2024. This follows the agreement on several new regions by the government of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and the People’s Representative Council (DPR). Recipients of Special Autonomy funds are different in each province. Papua was distributed IDR 480 billion, West Papua IDR 334.6 billion, South Papua IDR 375.6 billion, Central Papua IDR 578.3 billion and Mountain Papua IDR 740.8 billion.
The government directs Special Autonomy funds to support accelerated development in accordance with the master plan, including reducing poverty, increasing investment and strategic activities such as scholarships, health insurance, as well as direct assistance to increase community productivity/OAP.
Firm action against KST Papua or OPM violence needs to receive support from all parties so that it can run optimally. Moreover, the current government continues to boost development in the Land of Papua. For this reason, the government, religious leaders, community leaders, tribal chiefs, LMA Chairmen, and all other elements of society must work together to support the security forces (TNI/Polri) in eradicating OPM and safeguarding sustainable development in Papua so that security stability and peace can be achieved in Papua. Earth of Cenderawasih.
)* The author is a student from Papua in Surabaya
