Papua and the Threat of Terrorism

HERYUNANTO

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The attack on 31 workers of the Trans-Papua road project in Nduga, Papua, on Dec. 2, 2018 was another repeat incident of armed groups attacking civilians who are working to help develop Papua\'s economy.

Similar attacks occurred in Nduga and Puncak Jaya in June, when several civilians were killed, including children, after armed groups opened fire on a Trigana Air aircraft that was transporting Mobile Brigade (Brimob) personnel. In November 2017, another armed group held more than 1,000 people hostage in Kampung Kimbely and Banti in Mimika regency. In 2016, an armed group killed four construction workers contracted to the Trans-Papua road project.

Each of the incidents indeed had its tactical causes, like the fact that the shooting of the 31 workers occurred near the Dec. 1 Papuan independence commemoration and hoisting of the Morning Star flag. The incident could also have been motivated by retaliation against the arrest of Papuan political activists. Meanwhile, the June incident was connected to the regional election on the 27th.

However, in terms of strategy, the armed groups in Papua have similar and consistent objectives and motives. Achieving their political motives and disrupting security seems to be consistent among the various attacks by armed groups.

Judging from their websites, the armed groups’ main objective is to secede the entire region of Papua – which they call West Papua to distinguish it from the island’s eastern sovereign territory of Papua New Guinea – from Indonesia. They declare consistently that they do not accept the conclusion of the 1969 Papuan People\'s Free Choice (Pepera), even though the United Nations General Assembly approved the referendum in November 1969.

Besides the political motive of separatism, the armed attacks in Papua intend to disrupt the local elections and the development of local infrastructure and human resources, especially education and health care. There is a systematic effort to prevent the Indonesian government from developing Papua to be more prosperous and relatively equal to western Indonesia. The armed attacks have met two of the above three aims, which are included in the definition of terrorism in Law No. 5/2018 on Amendment to the Law on Eradicating Terrorism. The two aims are the groups’ political motive and disrupting security.

These two aims distinguish the acts of violence committed by these armed groups from ordinary armed criminal groups (KKB), even though both groups use violence, such as firearms or bladed weapons, and equally create fear or cause loss of life. Political motives and disrupting security can sustain violence and an atmosphere of terror until the group attains their goal. They target public facilities like roads and bridges, even though their victims did not participate in opposing the groups.

Comprehensive Strategy

Thus far, a tactical approach has been taken in responding armed violence and its potential risks in Papua through the formation of a joint Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police team, that then hunt down and undertake other strict measures. Some of the groups have been paralyzed, but some of their members and other groups have escaped. The attacks come again several months later, and the cycle of the tactical approach is repeated.

Tactical approaches that rely on lethal response are necessary, even though they must be conducted carefully and should be the final resort. However, with the wide territorial coverage of these armed groups, which are more familiar with the mountainous geography, the effectiveness of hard power must be helped by a more comprehensive strategy.

If the government declares that the group responsible is a terrorist organization, enforcing the Terrorism Law will reduce or eliminate the risk of similar attacks in the future. If a political response is deemed inadequate, the government (police) can petition the district courts to determine those armed groups in Papua that have and continue to launch attacks to issue a decision that names them as terrorist organizations (corporations).

With the new Terrorism Law, a final court decision provides the legal basis for police officers to arrest and detain the group’s founders, leaders, caretakers and operators, including recruiters and members. This will prove an effective preventive measure. In the case of Ansharut Daulah Jamaat (Tauhid), disbanding the group proved effective in that not a single terrorist attack occurred afterwards, including during the Asian Games and the Asian Para Games.

Terrorism and separatism

A court decision that declares the group as a “terrorist corporation” also helps enforce Law No. 9/2013 on Prevention and Eradication of Funding Terrorism. In cooperation with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center and foreign financial intelligence agencies, those channeling funds to violent groups in Papua can be tried or, at the very least, they will halt funding for fear that their identities and addresses will be discovered. This reduces the risk of future attacks, because arms and weapons purchases require sustainable funding.

These court decisions could also strengthen Indonesia’s legitimacy, in the eyes of both the domestic and international public. International cooperation is necessary, not only because these armed groups have been found to be supported by individuals or entities abroad, but also because terrorism is a common enemy of UN member states.

A comprehensive strategy is currently building momentum following the European Union’s refusal to support separatism in Catalonia, Spain. It feared the spread of separatism in Europe to areas like Corsica in France or Belgium’s Flanders and Wallonia regions. Thus, it also finds it difficult to support other separatist groups, especially those that have carried out acts of terrorism.

The Presidential Regulation on the TNI’s role in combating terrorism also needs to be resolved. Even though the law allows the regulation to be issued no later than a year after the June 21, 2018 ratification of Law No. 5/2018, President Joko Widodo’s work ethic is to be fast and proper. Moreover, there have been casualties, so the state must be one step ahead of the curve regarding armed attacks.

Fahmi Alfansi P. Pane, Alumnus, Indonesia Defense University