Jayapura, Jubi – Acting Governor of Papua Ridwan Rumasukun faced a distressing turn of events while partaking in the solemn duty of escorting the body of former Governor Lukas Enembe. The procession, from Sentani Airport to STAKIN Sentani, took an unforeseen and tumultuous twist when Ridwan Rumasukun was struck by a stone, causing severe head injuries.
Papua Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo confirmed the news.
“The Acting Governor of Papua was struck by a stone in the head,” Benny told journalists on Thursday, December 28. 2023.
Hastily transported to Dian Harapan Hospital in Jayapura, Ridwan was urgently shifted from the Emergency Unit to the hospital’s VIP section for immediate and intensive medical care.
“The Acting Governor has been moved to the VIP ward and is in stable condition following the necessary medical attention after sustaining head injuries,” one of the medical workers at the hospital who refused to be named told Jubi
Despite the gravity of the situation, there was a glimmer of hope for his recovery, although concerns remained paramount.
Plans for Ridwan Rumasukun’s transfer to Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital in Jakarta were swiftly arranged to ensure specialized care and further treatment.
However, this distressing incident did not just impact Ridwan Rumasukun. It also caused collateral damage, with reports indicating harm to police vehicles and various public amenities during the funeral.
Amidst the chaos, heightened security measures were implemented at Dian Harapan Hospital as investigations continue into the incident that disrupted the solemn ceremony of Lukas Enembe’s funeral. (*)
Jayapura, Jubi – Thousands gathered to bear the body of former Governor Lukas Enembe from the Sentani Airport to the STAKIN Sentani cemetery grounds on Thursday, December 28, 2023. Initially, a group of students, church leaders, and several others intended for the body to be transported by vehicle, accompanied by the people walking. However, the fervent desire of the masses prevailed, leading to the collective decision to carry the body and proceed on foot from Sentani Airport to STAKIN.
The late Lukas Enembe’s body was eventually carried by the crowd while walking.
Simultaneously, several members at the forefront hurled stones at houses, shops, and parked vehicles along the route, causing damage. Observations on the ground revealed significant damage to vital establishments such as banks in Sentani due to the mob’s actions, causing concern over the escalating unrest.
As the rally moved towards STAKIN, the crowd continued to rampage, converging on the Papua Police Chief’s entourage and other attendees walking alongside them. Multiple four-wheeled vehicles intending to enter STAKIN were destroyed, including the burning of a vehicle parked by the roadside.
Amidst the chaos, Sentani’s Indigenous Community Leader, Frits Maurits Felle, emphasized the need for dignified proceedings during this time of mourning.
“This is a great leader of Papua; the funeral process must be carried out with dignity. His contributions to the development of Papua must be honored and continued,” Felle expressed, acknowledging the difficulties in controlling the situation.
The aftermath revealed the grim extent of the unrest. The Papua Police reported approximately 25 buildings and shops in the district of Waena, Jayapura City, were set ablaze during the funeral procession.
“There were 14 reported injuries at the STAKIN incident, including one military personnel, seven police officers, the Acting Governor of Papua, and five civilians. A car was set ablaze, five vehicles severely damaged, and two buildings vandalized,” said Papua Police Chief Insp. Gen. Mathius Fakhiri.
Expressing dismay at the events, Fakhiri urged the community to mourn respectfully, adhering to Papuan traditions, and avoiding actions that degrade the dignity of the people. Security measures were reinforced, with plans to maintain vigilance until Friday to disperse the masses peacefully after the burial. (*)
3) KNPB denies involvement in riots at convoy escorting Lukas Enembe's body
Jayapura – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) has stated that it was not involved in the torching of shop houses, assaults and vandalism in Jayapura Regency and Jayapura City during the convoy accompanying the body of the late former Papua governor Lukas Enembe (LE) on Thursday December 28.
"In response to the accusations addressed at the KNPB through the media regarding incidents of arson, assault and destruction of facilities in Jayapura, these are false accusations. The KNPB is not responsible", said KNPB national spokesperson Ones Suhuniap in a statement on Friday December 29.
Suhuniap said that the convoy escorting Enembe's body from Sentani to Central Koya was not part of the KNPB's agenda. The KNPB never issued any verbal or written instructions for its members to accompany Enembe's body from the Sentani airport to Koya.
“This is slander against the KNPB. The welcoming committee was not the KNPB, but the Papua provincial government itself, but instead the KNPB was blamed. The KNPB as an organisation was not involved in picking up the late Lukas Enembe's body", he said.
According to Ones, the accusations by Cenderawasih/XVII regional military commander (Pangdam) Major General Izak Pangemanan are irresponsible and a hoax. The KNPB cannot always be accused of being the perpetrator behind every violent incident that occurs in Papua without objective evidence and facts.
He also said that the media should not create an uproar by spreading news that does not match the facts. News must be based on valid evidence.
“The Cenderawasih Pangdam and the Papua Polda [regional police] have authority over intelligence to anticipate and guarantee security and must be held responsible. They have a duty to maintain security so they are responsible for the activities during the pickup and escorting of the late LE's body".
"Don't blame the KNPB if you are incapable of or failed to maintain security and public order. The accusations against the KNPB are part of diverting the issue away from Lukas Enembe's death. We believe that there is a scenario where there are efforts to scapegoat the KNPB like in 2019 in the racism case. It is very similar.”
“Stop accusing the KNPB of being the actor, because the KNPB sees Lukas Enembe as part of the Indonesian government. The KNPB had nothing to do with the welcoming committee or the mourning committee for Lukas Enembe."
"We ask the Cenderawasih Pangdam to clarify the fake news accusing the KNPB of being the perpetrator."
Notes
According to a CNN Indonesia report on December 29, Major General Izak Pangemanan asserted that the rioting that occurred when the convoy was escorting Lukas Enembe's body was masterminded by members of the KNPB and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP).
"KNPB and ULMWP members rioted when accompanying the body from the STAKIN [Evangelical Theology School] in Sentani, Jayapura Regency, to the deceased's residence in Koya Tengah, Muara Tami district, Jayapura City", Pangemanan was quoted as saying after a meeting with community members at the Cenderawasih/XVII Regional Military Command Headquarters in Polimak, Jayapura, on Friday December 29 (https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20231229154149-20-1043219/pangdam-cenderawasih-knpb-dalang-rusuh-jelang-pemakaman-lukas-enembe)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "KNPB Bantah Terlibat Pembakaran dan Pengrusakan Ruko Saat Iring-Iringan Jenazah Lukas Enembe".]
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