Restoring Security in Papua is Priority

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Constructive dialogue with Papuans must be intensified to resolve various problems in the region.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Restoring public order and security in Papua and West Papua is the priority following protests in several regions in the two provinces since Monday. The government must also intensify constructive communication to build mutual trust and understanding with Papuans.

Increasing constructive communications is urgent, as protests over the racism-imbued hate speech Papuan students were subjected to in East Java are starting to widen to other issues. This was seen in the protests in Fakfak, West Papua, and in Timika, Papua, on Wednesday (21/8/2019).
In Fakfak, the protests involved burning the Tambaruni Market and the Fakfak Indigenous Community Council office.
The burning of the Fakfak Indigenous Community Council office began with locals hoisting the Bintang Kejora (Morning Star) flag, angering others. The office was set on fire after angry locals could not find the person who had hoisted the flag, who apparently had fled the scene.
Meanwhile, the protest in Timika had begun peacefully. However, as protesters arrived at the Mimika legislative council, someone threw things at the authorities. Several houses and stalls were also damaged.
Mimika Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Agung Marlianto said that the protest involved an oration about the Papuan referendum.
Legal process
National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. M Iqbal said that the police did not wish to obstruct locals wishing to voice their aspirations publicly. However, the rights of other members of the public wanting to carry out their normal activities must also be respected.
“We prioritize restoring [order in] several cities where riots occurred. Afterwards, allegations of [criminal] activities occurring in the incidents will be investigated,” Iqbal said.
The National Police, he continued, would guarantee the safety of all Papuans, including Papuan students, everywhere in Indonesia. At the same time, he said he hoped that people are not easily provoked by texts, photos or videos about the Papuan issue circulating on social media.
East Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Luki Hermawan said that the police had questioned 48 people following the racism-imbued hate speech incident against Papuan students at the student dorm in Surabaya on 16 August. No suspects have been named.
KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN
Sorong Mayor Lamberthus Jitmau (with upraised hand) speaks to a crowd gathered in front of his office on Wednesday (21/8/2019) in Sorong, West Papua.
Surabaya Police chief Sr. Comr. Sandi Nugroho said that 42 of the 48 people questioned were residents of the Papuan Student Dorm. The other six were locals. He said that the questioning was in line with standard procedures.
V/Brawijaya regional military commander Maj. Gen. R. Wisnoe Prasetja said that the military was investigating the alleged involvement of military personnel in the hate speech incident. If military personnel are found to have been involved, he said that there would be punishment for them. “We will punish [the personnel] committing acts not in line with our standard procedures,” he said.
Separately, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto said he would monitor security conditions in Papua alongside Indonesian Military commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto and National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian. Wiranto said that they would spread empathy and peace in Papua.
Rights advocacy group Setara Institute executive director Ismail Hasani said that fundamental problems in Papua included political, economic and social injustices, as well as the history of Papuan integration, which is still widely disputed among some Papuans.
With respect to this, the government needs to intensify its humanitarian and political approach toward Papuans. This can begin by establishing constructive communications to build mutual trust and understanding between the government and all elements in Papua.
KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN
Motorcyclists pass a thoroughfare on Wednesday (21/8/2019) in Sorong, West Papua. Conditions in the city have gradually returned to normal following two days of mass rallies that paralyzed economic activities in the city.
“The path of dialogue can reduce conflict potentials and place Papuans as the main subjects in establishing justice and sustainable development in Papua,” Ismail said. (SAN/SYA/FLO/FRN/XTI/KOR/MTK/NTA)

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