Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chief of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Moeldoko has affirmed that the government will continue to advance development in the Papua region while protecting locals from threats posed by separatist groups.

"Residents must understand that, in general, Papua sees no decline in the development progress," he stated, according to a statement issued here on Thursday.

He noted that Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2020 on the advancement of welfare development in Papua has been implemented to bolster efforts to realize prosperity for Papuans.

"Hence, in general, welfare in Papua is in good condition," the KSP chief said.

The authorities will focus their efforts on the three districts of Nduga, Intan Jaya, and Puncak that have been declared red zones due to separatists' activities, he informed, while affirming that the government will continue protecting locals in the regions.

"The duty of the state is not only to ensure the prosperity of the people, but also protect the people, the nation, and the country," Moeldoko emphasized.

In regions designated as red zones, separatist groups are threatening the lives of locals, as evidenced by the murder and violence perpetrated against civilians, including women and children, he said.

Despite the intensification of military and police actions in the region against separatist groups, particularly in the red zones, the government will continue advancing development in Papua, the KSP head affirmed.

"Hence, I caution that the TNI (Indonesian Defence Forces) and the police will take firm measures, especially in the three districts where (separatists' actions have) worsened," Moeldoko stated.

He added that President Joko Widodo has also emphasized that no matter the conditions in Papua, the authority will continue to strive to accelerate development in the region.


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