De-escalating the conflict in Papua, who knows, Prabowo's track record could actually solve it

The community is optimistic that the new government can de-escalate the Papua conflict. Who knows, Prabowo's track record can overcome this.

KOMPAS

The condition of the Trans-Papua road in Nduga is still a rocky road. The road construction project has stopped, among other things, due to armed conflicts. Local traditional leaders believe that one of the triggers of the conflict is caused by the community not yet feeling the presence of the state and the welfare of the people has not been achieved.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Civil society hopes that the elected president and vice president, Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka, can de-escalate the armed conflict in Papua. They said that the armed conflict in "Cenderawasih Earth" was becoming increasingly complicated and difficult to overcome, so the security approach needed to be abandoned and replaced with humanitarian pause.

Amnesty International Indonesia Director Usman Hamid during a discussion on the theme "Papua Post-2024 Election: Escalation or Conflict Resolution", Thursday (25/4/2024), said that Prabowo Subianto's political stance so far still changing frequently. Before the election, at one of the forums held by the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership, Prabowo once said that there needed to be an amnesty for independence groups in Aceh.

However, on other occasions, especially during the presidential-vice presidential debate held by the General Election Commission (KPU), Prabowo actually said that there was foreign intervention in the conflict. He also called the armed conflict between the Free Papua Organization (OPM) and security forces in Papua a separatist movement.

Also read: To overcome the problem of violence in Papua, the state is asked to prioritize peaceful solutions

"This shows that Prabowo's attitude would be highly unstable politically. On one hand, he can be very tough with a nationalist and somewhat chauvinistic nature. However, on the other hand, there is also a possibility for de-escalation of security operations there," explained Usman.

This shows that Prabowo's attitude will be highly unstable politically. On one hand, he can be very hardline with a nationalist and often chauvinistic attitude. However, on the other hand, there is also the possibility of de-escalating security operations there.

KOMPAS/INGKI RINALDI

Usman Hamid, Chair of the Selection Committee for Candidates for Members of the National Commission on Violence Against Women's Plenary Commission and Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia.

The human rights (HAM) and democracy activist added that one thing that needs to be emphasized for the new government is that the security approach that has been used in Papua has not worked. The security approach actually makes the conflict more complicated and sacrifices many civilians. Many TNI soldiers have died during the ongoing armed conflict. The loss of innocent victims should have been prevented.

"The prospects of future approaches in Papua can be very promising or negative. What is clear is that revengeful actions should not be prioritized. Moreover, if investment is to be built there, no investment can go forward without peaceful negotiation," he emphasized.

Humanitarian pauses, dialogue, and a humanitarian approach will bridge the resolution of conflicts between indigenous groups, local government, and the central government. Permits for plantations, mining, and others can be achieved if the situation is safe and peaceful.

Land conflicts or agrarian issues are also prevalent there because indigenous communities feel that their land has been taken by the state. This is considered a hindrance to investment, even though negotiation is one of the prerequisites before investment can take place in Papua.

OPM and state dialogue

Head of the Papua Bureau of the Fellowship of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) Ronald Rischard Tapilatu added that the appropriate method to use in the current situation is dialogue between the two parties in conflict, namely the OPM and the state. OPM's highest demand is independence for Papua. However, that is the highest demand (high call). If there is common ground between the two parties, another resolution may be acceptable.

"The current situation in Papua is a humanitarian crisis. The escalating conflicts that continue to arise have made the situation a humanitarian crisis. Therefore, we must not allow the situation to become more complex. There must be a best resolution," he said.

What is happening in Papua at the moment is a humanitarian crisis. The continuous escalation of conflicts has led to a humanitarian crisis. Therefore, the situation should not become more complicated. The best resolution must be reached.

He expressed his sadness because currently the only region in armed conflict is in Papua. Papua seems to have become a site of mass killings that disturb humanity together. He is concerned because development and investment now penetrate more towards eastern Indonesia, security approaches may actually be intensified. The government must first look at the root of the problem in Papua, so as not to choose the wrong steps and strategies.

Previously, in the case of the shooting of the 1703-04 / Aradide Military District Commander Lieutenant Second Oktovianus Sogelrey in early April, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) firmly stated that the incident was carried out by the Free Papua Organization (Organisasi Papua Merdeka or OPM), and no longer by the armed criminal group (Kelompok Kriminal Bersenjata or KKB). TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto mentioned that the attack was carried out by the OPM. The use of the term OPM was made because the group calls themselves the West Papua National Liberation Army (Tentara Pembebasan Nasional Papua Barat or TPNPB).

KOMPAS/NIKOLAUS HARBOWO

Director of the Paramadina Center for Religion and Democracy, Ihsan Ali Fauzi; former terrorist, Ali Fauzi Manzi; moderator; researcher from the Research Center for Regional Resources (PSDR) LIPI, Cahyo Pamungkas; held a public discussion with the theme "Breaking the Chain of Terrorism Movement, Possible or Not?: Failures and Successes of Deradicalization in the Indonesian Institute of Sciences" in Jakarta on Thursday (17/5/2018).

History of incomplete unification

Papuan researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Cahyo Pamungkas, stated that the root of the problem in Papua is the unfinished history of unification. Apart from Dutch colonialism, he mentioned that many figures in Papua want independence. However, a referendum was conducted and he called it intimidating, so the purity of the vote during the referendum is questioned.

Nowadays, Papuan nationalists are more advanced and their desire for independence is growing stronger due to serious human rights violations, marginalization, and other issues.

"Nationalism in Papua then grew and was instilled through Sunday schools, for example, related to the idea of Papua's independence. Because Papua's independence had existed before Indonesia's independence. Now, Papua's nationalism is advancing and the desire for independence is growing stronger due to issues of severe human rights violations, marginalization, and other problems," he explained.

The history of unification is the root of the problem in Papua until now. The author is worried that this movement will only grow larger due to the influence of social media. Social media is often used to spread propaganda and production of knowledge, which in turn inspires more young Papuan generations.

"The consequence of mentioning OPM is that both parties must utilize humanitarian laws. If there are shootings or torture of civilians and the perpetrators are members of OPM, there may be intervention from international institutions," he said.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI (RAD)

Deputy Director of Imparsial, Ghufron Mabruri (center), gave a statement during the launch of the report on the evaluation of the practice of the death penalty during President Joko Widodo's administration in Jakarta on Thursday (10/10/2019). According to Imparsial's records from 2014-2019, the government has executed the death penalty on 18 people related to drug cases. Imparsial also recommends several things, including the abolition of the death penalty in the revision of the Criminal Code and the implementation of a moratorium on the death penalty.

Also read: Resolving Human Rights Violations Cases, First Step for Peaceful Papua

The issue of air pollution is not a new one. The community has long been threatened by its effects and there is ample research evidence to support this claim. Yet, despite this, significant efforts to control air pollution have not been forthcoming. As a result, residents continue to suffer in the midst of this pollution. Director of Imparsial, Ghufron Mabruri, expressed optimism regarding the newly elected president that should be upheld. It's possible that with his history and track record as a Kopassus soldier, Prabowo Subianto can actually solve the problem in Papua in a different way. This optimism and hope must be upheld because Prabowo has a significant chance to make history in resolving the armed conflict in Papua.

"We are trying to maintain optimism and hope that Prabowo can make a mark in Indonesia's history by successfully resolving the armed conflict in Papua," he said.