Monday, June 14, 2021

1) West Papua's total COVID-19 case tally reached 9,464: task force


2) Contingent to Papua's PON urged to coordinate with security agencies  
3) Interim President: Condolences for death of Pastor Allen Nafuki 
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1) West Papua's total COVID-19 case tally reached 9,464: task force 
 9 hours ago


Manokwari, W Papua (ANTARA) - Some 19 other West Papua residents tested positive, Sunday, for COVID-19, thereby pushing up the province's total tally of positive cases to 9,464 since the government declared Indonesia's first confirmed cases on March 2, 2020.

Those new COVID-19 cases were recorded in Sorong City and the districts of Fakfak, Sorong, and Manokwari, spokesperson of the West Papua COVID-19 Task Force, Arnold Tiniap, noted in a statement that ANTARA quoted here on Monday.

The largest number of COVID-19 cases in West Papua arose in Manokwari District and Sorong City, with 3,556 and 3,265 cases respectively, according to Tiniap.

"Despite their relatively high infection rates, the recovery rates of Manokwari and Sorong are also high enough," he remarked, adding that 9,204 of the 9,464 COVID-19 patients in West Papua had fully recovered from the novel coronavirus disease.

Meanwhile, 175 patients had succumbed to the deadly virus. In a bid to stem the infection rate, the local people's active participation in COVID-19 prevention and mitigation efforts is deemed highly indispensable, he remarked.

"We are optimistic of them playing an active role in reducing the tally of positive cases by consistently implementing the government's mandated health protocols," Tiniap emphasized.

Related news: COVID-19 keeps posing serious threats to Papua: task force

Related news: 700 vaccine doses secured for West Papua's Teluk Wondama teachers


Coronavirus infections initially surfaced in the Chinese city of Wuhan in 2019 and thereafter spread across the world, including to countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Indonesia announced its first confirmed cases on March 2, 2020.

Since then, the central and regional governments have worked incessantly to flatten the coronavirus curve through the imposition of health protocols and social restrictions.

To contain the transmission of COVID-19, which has shrunk the purchasing power of Indonesian families, the government also placed a ban on homebound travel, or "mudik," before the Eid al-Fitr holiday season for two successive years.

However, on account of the recent Eid al-Fitr festivities, COVID-19 cases in Indonesia could peak by mid-June this year, according to Vice Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono’s projection.

Currently, Indonesia's total COVID-19 case count has surpassed 1.9 million.

As part of the efforts to tackle the pandemic, which has acutely impacted public health and the economy, the Indonesian government unveiled a nationwide vaccination program on January 13, 2021, to contain infections.

The Indonesian Health Ministry is targeting to vaccinate 181.5 million people to build herd immunity against the virus, a task projected to take about 15 months. (INE)

Related news: 25,730 public sector workers vaccinated in West Papua

Related news: Papua urged to exercise caution as COVID cases rise in PNG

Reporter: HA Kapisa, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga


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2) Contingent to Papua's PON urged to coordinate with security agencies  
8 hours ago
Timika, Papua (ANTARA) - A top military officer appealed to all provinces' contingents of athletes and officials joining Papua's 2021 PON National Games and National Para Games (Peparnas) to coordinate with security agencies while staying in the province.

This suggestion was put forth as part of the security measures in spite of military and police personnel in host cities and districts being able to secure the convening of the multisport events, according to Lt Gen. Agus Rohman.

"We continue to make efforts to ensure that the multisport events are convened securely and peacefully," Rohman, commander of the Joint Regional Defense Command (Kogabwilhan) III in Timika, the capital of Mimika District, remarked on Monday.

To this end, the Kogabwilhan III has been coordinating with the Papua police and XVII/Cendrawasih Regional Military Command, he noted.

"Our security forces in Timika are strong enough," Rohman affirmed while adding that nine of the 37 sporting disciplines would be contested in the city.

Related news: Papua police increase community services before PON national games

Meanwhile, Mimika District Head Eltinus Omaleng affirmed that his administrative areas remained safe and secure for all contingents of athletes and officials.

"We guarantee that there will be no (security) problems. This year, Timika does not only become a co-host of the 2021 PON National Games but it will also host Papua's Kingmi Kemah Injili Church Conference and gospel choir festival," he remarked.

Omaleng expressed belief that the events would be held in a peaceful manner despite lingering security risks posed by armed Papuan terrorist groups operating in the Tembagapura Sub-district and Kali Kopi neighborhood areas.

To guarantee the security of all provinces' contingent of athletes and officials during their stay in Timika, the authorities have made preparations for the deployment of security personnel at the athletes and officials' accommodation complex and sports venues, he stated.

Related news: TNI, police top brass observe preparations for Papua's national games

In the wake of this year's multisport events, the Papua police are continually intensifying a community-based program known as "Binmas Noken" to win over the hearts and minds of Papuan communities.

To this end, the police is working closely with regional administrations as well as religious and community figures to create and promote a peaceful situation before the convening of the events.

Through the "Binmas Noken" Program, police officers on duty are giving due importance to being heedful to the Papuan communities' requests, requirements, and aspirations, Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri noted in his recent statement.

In connection with all participating athletes and officials coming from across the archipelago, Fakhiri urged journalists to serve the public more soft news content rather than hard news content, especially those pertaining to armed violence.

The PON National Games will be held in Jayapura City and the districts of Jayapura, Merauke, and Mimika on October 2-15, he remarked.

The 2021 PON National Games will host 37 sporting disciplines, including athletics, Tarung derajat or West Javan martial arts, handball, sport climbing, futsal, aeromodelling, and judo. (INE)

Related news: PON Papua will be held on schedule, sports minister assures

Related news: Security personnel challenged to secure Papua's PON National Games

Reporter: E.Supar, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga


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3) Interim President: Condolences for death of Pastor Allen Nafuki 
June 14, 2021 in Statement





On behalf of the ULMWP Provisional Government and the people of West Papua, I would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of Pastor Allen for his recent death. This is a sad day for the people of Vanuatu and West Papua, and for all people in Melanesia and the Pacific.

Pastor Allen was the Chairman of the Vanuatu West Papua Unification and Association Committee and Chair of the Vanuatu branch of the Pacific Council of Churches. He was a father of Melanesia and the Pacific. For the people of West Papua, this is a great loss – but we also celebrate his legacy. He helped combine the destiny of the people of West Papua with the Republic of Vanuatu.

In 2014, when Pastor Allen became Chair of the Unification Committee, he worked with the Government of Vanuatu and the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs to bring West Papuan unity. Never in the history of our struggle have we achieved this unity before. With his courage and dedication, we managed to unite and have brought West Papua closer than ever to the Melanesian family.

As Pastor Allen always stated, ‘It is the dream of our founding father, Walter Lini, that all Melanesia shall be free when every Melanesian is free, including West Papua and Kanak. God calls for all His sheep to return. West Papua is a lost sheep, and God has called me to help return West Papua to the family.’ He was confident that one day that dream would become a reality, and we are further along that road than ever before, thanks in no small part to the tireless work of Pastor Allen. He has left a great legacy for the next generation.

The people of West Papua and the ULMWP offices on the ground will be in mourning for the next few days. We will pray and think of the family and people of Vanuatu for the loss of this great leader. One day when West Papua is free, uniting all of Melanesia, we can celebrate his legacy together.

Long God yumi sanap. One people one soul. God bless.

Benny Wenda
Interim President
ULMWP Provisional Government

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