Hendrik Khoirul Muhid, Jakarta – Military observer and lecturer at the Brawijaya University Faculty of Law, Al Araf, believes that the formation of new Conflict Area Support (PDR) infantry battalions (Yonif) in five regions of Papua reflects the government's position of considering Papua a conflict prone region.
"The (government's) approach still prioritises additional security", he said when contacted on Wednesday October 2
Al Araf admitted he was surprised at the government's attitude of still using a security approach in the Papua region by deploying additional troops. Yet this pattern of using a security approach has been proven to have failed when applied during the era of reformasi– the political reform process that began in 1998.
"This (security approach) actually does not answer the problems [in Papua]", he said.
The formation of these new battalions, he said, also has the potential to create violence and human rights violations in Papua. The long-term policy is oriented towards increasing military defence forces by adding troops and battalions.
"What is feared is that this dynamic will not solve the problem, but it will instead give rise to the problem of serious conflicts in Papua", he said.
The Indonesian Military (TNI) has officially formed five new units in Papua to support security and development in vulnerable areas.
"The purpose of forming these battalions is for support in these areas", said TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto at the Silang Field at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta on Wednesday October 2.
Subiyanto said that the new battalions were formed to assist government programs in the Papua region, primarily in development activities and regional acceleration, and improve the welfare of the Papuan people.
According to Subiyanto, the new battalions are difference from other units. The new battalions have two specific tasks, namely construction and production.
"These battalions have more specific duties and roles, including supporting food security, handling security threats, and encouraging community development", Subiyanto said.
Related to the task of production, the new battalions will carry out agricultural programs in the Papua region. The battalion's role in this production will be to cooperate with the Ministry of Agriculture and local communities to plant food commodities.
The following is a list of the new Conflict Area Support battalions:
1. Duga Adiyatama Yudha Infantry Battalion 801, the first and foremost worriers in meeting the enemy. The battalion is to be located in Kerom regency, Papua.
2. Wimanimambejaya Infantry Battalion 802, powerful worriers who are always triumphant. The unit is to be located in Sarmi regency, Papua.
3. Kesatria Yudha Kensuwiri Infantry Battalion 803, worriers that build. To be located in Boven Digoel regency, South Papua.
4. Dharma Bakti Asasta Yudha Infantry Battalion 804, a unit that serves the welfare of the people in battle. The battalion is to be located in Merauke regency, South Papua.
5. Kesatria Satia Waninggap Infantry Battalion 805, faithful worriers defending the truth. The unit is to be located in Sorong regency, Southwest Papua.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Pengamat Sebut Pembentukan 5 Yonif Baru di Papua Berpotensi Ciptakan Kekerasan dan Praktik Pelanggaran HAM".]
In a press release received here on Saturday, the province's secretariat assistant, Joko Guritno, said that the free open access along the Indonesia-PNG border in South Papua's Sota Sub-district has raised some concerns.
"We hope that the security forces in the border area can take advantage of the Yetetkun State Cross-Border Post (PLBN) in Ninati Sub-district to record every person who crosses (the border)," he added.
Meanwhile, business activities carried out by local communities at another PLBN located in Sota, Merauke District, could improve the local economy if developed well, he pointed out.
"We need to regulate that well with the PNG government," Guritno said.
The consul at the Indonesian Consulate in Vanimo, Tangkuman Alexander, said that his side also considers it necessary to improve relations between South Papua and PNG so that border issues can be handled well.
"We hope that with the cooperation between Indonesia and PNG, the people's economy in the border areas can improve," he added.
On September 30, 2024, South Papua provincial government and PNG government representatives visited Merauke district to check and handle the problems in the border area.
PNG Consul for Indonesia Geoffrey L. Wiri DMS said that there are three new areas in Indonesia that directly border PNG, one of which is Merauke.
"We made a visit to South Papua with the aim of verifying residents who are working at PT Papua Agro Lestari, which operates in Kumaaf-Ulilin, Merauke," he informed.
The visit also paid attention to children who are attending school in Sota Sub-district, he added.
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Translator: Ardiles L, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Acting Governor of West Papua Ali Baham Temongmere explained here on Saturday that the provincial government has held several activities to support the smooth running of Pilkada.
Education regarding Pilkada is provided to the public to ensure safe, peaceful, orderly, and quality implementation in seven districts.
These activities include campaigning for peaceful Pilkada by involving the community, customary and religious leaders, as well as regional head candidates and political parties.
"The local government has disseminated information and conducted educational activities, including holding a march for peaceful Pilkada," Temongmere stated.
In addition, he said, the provincial government has allocated a grant worth Rp82.5 billion USD1 = around Rp15,670) for securing the implementation of 2024 Pilkada in West Papua.
In detail, Rp75 billion of the grant is distributed to the province's police while the remaining Rp7.5 billion is for the district military command.
The grant support aims to maximize security operations, including educational campaigns conducted by the Indonesian Military-National Police (TNI-Polri) in the West Papua region.
"Once again, I invite all components (of society) to be active in preventing provocative efforts that have the potential to disrupt public security and order during the election," Temongmere stated.
Moreover, the provincial government continues coordinating with the General Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) to optimize Pilkada supervision from the campaign period until the voting day on November 27, 2024.
The acting governor also reminded all civil servants in the region to maintain neutrality during Pilkada.
Related news: Indonesia's ministry sets four key indicators for successful Pilkada
Related news: West Papua seeks Tabi community's support for successful 2024 Pilkada
Translator: Fransiskus W, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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