2) House backs restrictions on foreigners in Papua
3) Withdraw troops from Papua to avoid confrontation: analyst
4) Jakarta blames Papua unrest on independence movement
5) Papua activist Surya Anta kept in isolation, bombarded by nationalist music
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1) Densus 88 investigates possible ISIS link in Papua riots
7 hours ago
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Police's Counterterrorism Squad, Densus 88, is probing a likely involvement of the Islamic state (ISIS) group in a string of riots in the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua. "We continue to investigate (the possibility of) the ISIS being involved in the riots," Chief of the Public Relations Bureau of the National Police Brigadier General Dedi Prasetyo stated at the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta on Friday.
The police are working all-out to unearth the masterminds behind the riots, he stated.
"Obviously, we are focusing on revealing the masterminds behind the riots and adopting preventive measures," he noted.
A string of violent rallies broke out in several parts of Papua and West Papua as an upshot of the alleged racist slurs against Papuan students in Surabaya, East Java, on August 16.
In the West Papua provincial capital of Manokwari, a rally against the alleged racist slurs took a violent turn on August 19, with some protesters setting ablaze a local parliamentary building and tires in several parts of the city.
A violent demonstration again erupted in the Papua provincial capital of Jayapura on August 29. The brutal demonstrators went on a rampage, vandalizing and setting ablaze several government buildings.
The police have alleged that Papuan separatist figure Benny Wenda had masterminded the riots. He is believed to have disseminated hoaxes and attempted to provoke on social media the leaders of states in the Pacific region.
However, the police cannot take legal measures against Wenda, as he is no longer an Indonesian citizen.
The police have named 57 suspects in anarchist violence in Papua and 21 suspects in riots in West Papua.
The police are working all-out to unearth the masterminds behind the riots, he stated.
"Obviously, we are focusing on revealing the masterminds behind the riots and adopting preventive measures," he noted.
A string of violent rallies broke out in several parts of Papua and West Papua as an upshot of the alleged racist slurs against Papuan students in Surabaya, East Java, on August 16.
In the West Papua provincial capital of Manokwari, a rally against the alleged racist slurs took a violent turn on August 19, with some protesters setting ablaze a local parliamentary building and tires in several parts of the city.
A violent demonstration again erupted in the Papua provincial capital of Jayapura on August 29. The brutal demonstrators went on a rampage, vandalizing and setting ablaze several government buildings.
The police have alleged that Papuan separatist figure Benny Wenda had masterminded the riots. He is believed to have disseminated hoaxes and attempted to provoke on social media the leaders of states in the Pacific region.
However, the police cannot take legal measures against Wenda, as he is no longer an Indonesian citizen.
The police have named 57 suspects in anarchist violence in Papua and 21 suspects in riots in West Papua.
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2) House backs restrictions on foreigners in Papua
7 hours ago
Jakarta (ANTARA) - House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI) has backed the policy of restricting foreigners in Papua adopted by the government following an anti-racism rally that caused a riot on August 29. "It is probably reasonable for now if the government limits the access of foreigners to Papua for their safety," Deputy Speaker of DPR RI Fadli Zon stated here on Friday.
That is not the sole reason for the policy to be implemented, Zon said.
Related news: Wiranto discloses conspiracy involving separatist leader Benny Wenda
Related news: Foreigners not banned in Papua, but numbers restricted
He believed that the earlier visa-free policy in Papua was imprudently implemented and could undergo some reassessments. "What is the purpose of the policy? If it is only for tourism we should keep supporting it."
However, if foreigners are coming to Papua for purposes other than tourism they should be screened carefully.
"There are probably some parties who want to conduct some unpleasant stuff, such as broadcasting fake news," Zon remarked.
Even then, Coordinating Minister for Political Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto confirmed that the government had only restricted and not banned foreigners in Papua.
"Later, once the situation in Papua becomes conducive, which means when peace returns, we will let all foreigners come in. They can tour Raja Ampat as usual, allowing Indonesia to earn foreign exchange. There have never been any restrictions before but we are sorry that we have to do it for now," Wiranto added.
Related news: Densus 88 investigates possible ISIS link in Papua riots
Related news: Military, police chiefs meet figures of different faiths in Papua
That is not the sole reason for the policy to be implemented, Zon said.
Related news: Wiranto discloses conspiracy involving separatist leader Benny Wenda
Related news: Foreigners not banned in Papua, but numbers restricted
He believed that the earlier visa-free policy in Papua was imprudently implemented and could undergo some reassessments. "What is the purpose of the policy? If it is only for tourism we should keep supporting it."
However, if foreigners are coming to Papua for purposes other than tourism they should be screened carefully.
"There are probably some parties who want to conduct some unpleasant stuff, such as broadcasting fake news," Zon remarked.
Even then, Coordinating Minister for Political Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto confirmed that the government had only restricted and not banned foreigners in Papua.
"Later, once the situation in Papua becomes conducive, which means when peace returns, we will let all foreigners come in. They can tour Raja Ampat as usual, allowing Indonesia to earn foreign exchange. There have never been any restrictions before but we are sorry that we have to do it for now," Wiranto added.
Related news: Densus 88 investigates possible ISIS link in Papua riots
Related news: Military, police chiefs meet figures of different faiths in Papua
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3) Withdraw troops from Papua to avoid confrontation: analyst
7 hours ago
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government should consider withdrawing its troops from Papua and West Papua provinces to avoid confrontation between the military and civilians, Suripto, an analyst who has served as an intelligence official, said here on Friday. "A massive army deployment would not clear the problem as it would raise sentiments and suspicions of the new form of repression (among Papuan people)," Suripto explained.
To avoid these suspicions, Suripto suggested to the government that it learn from the experience of East Timor's separation from Indonesia in 1999.
Related news: Jambi police deploy 350 mobile brigade personnel to Papua
Related news: Unidentified group kills five gold miners in Yahukimo
The sight of thousands of troops in Papua and West Papua for the past week might give the impression that there could be a military invasion there, according to the intelligence expert.
A military approach was unsuited to solve the identity conflict that had occurred in Papua and West Papua, he believed. "We should utilize the soft approach by respecting their identities. We should get closer to them (Papuan people)," he added.
A non-military approach would be more effective in easing the tension as people's rights to express their identities and opinions must be protected and respected by the government, according to Suripto.
"The least we can do, if we still want Papua and West Papua to be a part of Indonesia, is to respect their basic rights and identities," he noted.
Related news: Paratroopers jump drill in Papua observed by military, police chiefs
Related news: Jokowi has lunch with Papuan village chiefs, youths
To avoid these suspicions, Suripto suggested to the government that it learn from the experience of East Timor's separation from Indonesia in 1999.
Related news: Jambi police deploy 350 mobile brigade personnel to Papua
Related news: Unidentified group kills five gold miners in Yahukimo
The sight of thousands of troops in Papua and West Papua for the past week might give the impression that there could be a military invasion there, according to the intelligence expert.
A military approach was unsuited to solve the identity conflict that had occurred in Papua and West Papua, he believed. "We should utilize the soft approach by respecting their identities. We should get closer to them (Papuan people)," he added.
A non-military approach would be more effective in easing the tension as people's rights to express their identities and opinions must be protected and respected by the government, according to Suripto.
"The least we can do, if we still want Papua and West Papua to be a part of Indonesia, is to respect their basic rights and identities," he noted.
Related news: Paratroopers jump drill in Papua observed by military, police chiefs
Related news: Jokowi has lunch with Papuan village chiefs, youths
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