2) Take precautionary measures against disturbance during PON: TNI Chief
----------------------
1) Papua needs more than junior diplomacy
Jakarta ● Thu, September 30, 2021
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has only just ended. Apart from President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s pre-recorded speech, Indonesia made a mark during the annual world event because of alleged human rights abuses in Papua.
It was clearly a slap in Indonesia’s face when UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres included in his annual report alleged rights abuses against Papuan activists.
In its headline story on Sept. 28, The Jakarta Post reported that the government was facing greater international scrutiny as violence continues to simmer in the country’s easternmost, least developed but natural-resource rich, provinces.
Indonesia is among 45 countries accused of intimidating and retaliating against human rights defenders, according to the Guterres’ report, released on Sept. 17. “Between May 2020 and April this year, five individuals seeking to cooperate with UN human rights agencies – Wensislaus Fatubun, Yones Douw, Victor Mambor, Veronica Koman and Victor Yeimo – were subject to threats, harassment and surveillance by government, non-state and private actors, including business enterprises and local political actors”, the Post quoted the report as saying.
The government’s repeated denials will only increase international misperceptions about what really is happening in Papua, simply because Papua has long been declared a closed territory to foreigners for security reasons. It is a frustrating undertaking for Indonesian diplomats to defend the country from attacks over alleged human rights violations in Papua because the root problems lie deep in the land of Papua. As long as the alleged human rights abuses and exploitation of natural resources in Papua remain unaddressed, resentment among local people toward the government will grow stronger.
At the same time Indonesian diplomats need creative ways that are internationally acceptable to promote the government’s commitment and actions to bring prosperity and justice to Papua.
In last year’s UNGA debate Indonesia fielded a junior diplomat to read out the government’s rebuttal of Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Bob Loughman Weibur’s harsh criticism regarding the situation in Papua. This year, Indonesia used the same tactic by assigning a junior diplomat to counter the argument of the Pacific state leader about Papua.
Such a strategy might encourage nationalist sentiment among the populace back home, but actually Indonesia has only humiliated itself in such a prestigious forum as the UNGA, because this stunt is no different from that often pulled by undemocratic states like North Korea.
Besides, the choice of a junior diplomat for the job reflects Jakarta’s arrogance, indeed lack of seriousness, in addressing the Papua problems. This sort of diplomacy is counterproductive to Indonesia’s efforts to establish a peaceful and dignified solution for our Papuan brothers and sisters.
The government should not belittle the voices of those who defend Papuans.
Rather, the criticisms should prompt us to find out the flaws in our approach to Papua.
It is true that the situation in the two provinces is confusing for outsiders. Are the ongoing armed clashes between the security forces and the rebels genuine? Whatever the motives behind the acts of violence, people at the grass roots must pay the price. Assigning junior diplomats to stave off criticism does not help the international community comprehend Papua better.
————————————
————————————
2) Take precautionary measures against disturbance during PON: TNI Chief
9 hours ago
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Security Task Force from the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Indonesian Police (Polri) must take precautionary measures against the slightest disturbance during the XX National Sports Week in Papua, TNI Commander Air Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto stated.
"I am stressing that officers must be able to take precautionary measures against various disturbances that are most likely to occur, even the slightest (opportunity)," Tjahjanto remarked on Wednesday.
Hadi Tjahjanto believes that the 20th PON in Papua was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that Papua was a province capable of holding a grand national event.
"The success of the implementation of the Papua XX PON is a golden moment to prove that the stability, security, and public order in Papua is conducive. Thus, the security factor is the main aspect that must be prioritized during the implementation of the National Sports Week," according to Tjahjanto.
The security aspect encompassed securing the venue and the entire course of the match, VVIPs at the opening and closing points, athletes and contingents, and spectators, as well as ensuring public protection, he emphasized.
He called on the Papua Police chief along with the XVII/Cenderawasih Regional Military Commander to intensify communication, coordination, and collaboration for securing the multi-sporting event.
"Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, this national event, involving thousands of people, poses a great risk of COVID-19 transmission and also the potential for security disturbances," he pointed out.
Tjahjanto noted that President Joko Widodo will officially launch the opening ceremony of the Papua XX National Games. The event will garner both national and international attention.
"This is because in the midst of the world's praises for Indonesia's success in suppressing the COVID-19 pandemic, all eyes will be on Papua as the host," he stated.
This event will demonstrate to the global community that Papua can organize national-scale events and is ready to host other national events, he remarked.
"To achieve this, the Papua XX PON Security Task Force, as the leading security sector, must be able to secure the event," he affirmed.
Success in handling the pandemic and organizing the Papua National Games will be the pride of all citizens, especially Papuans.
"Thus, I command all security forces to conduct security duties across all dimensions, both physically and non-physically. Physically, ensure that the security protocols for the Papua XX PON event are followed well and ascertain that all personnel understand their respective duties and responsibilities despite it being safe so far, (remain vigilant)," he stressed.
He also noted that in responding to potential threats and disturbances, which would differ across locations, the approach should take into account the situation, conditions, culture, and local wisdom of each region.
"I believe that with sincere intentions for the sake of humanity and the progress of Papua, the national defense force-police force, along with all elements of Papuan society, will be able to ensure that Papua successfully holds the Papua XX National Sports Week," he stated.
Related news: Papua PON organising committee ensures readiness for opening ceremony
Related news: PB PON invites Papuans to utilize, benefit from sports facilities
Related news: PON opening ceremony to showcase natural beauty of Papua: KONI
----------"I am stressing that officers must be able to take precautionary measures against various disturbances that are most likely to occur, even the slightest (opportunity)," Tjahjanto remarked on Wednesday.
Hadi Tjahjanto believes that the 20th PON in Papua was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that Papua was a province capable of holding a grand national event.
"The success of the implementation of the Papua XX PON is a golden moment to prove that the stability, security, and public order in Papua is conducive. Thus, the security factor is the main aspect that must be prioritized during the implementation of the National Sports Week," according to Tjahjanto.
The security aspect encompassed securing the venue and the entire course of the match, VVIPs at the opening and closing points, athletes and contingents, and spectators, as well as ensuring public protection, he emphasized.
He called on the Papua Police chief along with the XVII/Cenderawasih Regional Military Commander to intensify communication, coordination, and collaboration for securing the multi-sporting event.
"Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, this national event, involving thousands of people, poses a great risk of COVID-19 transmission and also the potential for security disturbances," he pointed out.
Tjahjanto noted that President Joko Widodo will officially launch the opening ceremony of the Papua XX National Games. The event will garner both national and international attention.
"This is because in the midst of the world's praises for Indonesia's success in suppressing the COVID-19 pandemic, all eyes will be on Papua as the host," he stated.
This event will demonstrate to the global community that Papua can organize national-scale events and is ready to host other national events, he remarked.
"To achieve this, the Papua XX PON Security Task Force, as the leading security sector, must be able to secure the event," he affirmed.
Success in handling the pandemic and organizing the Papua National Games will be the pride of all citizens, especially Papuans.
"Thus, I command all security forces to conduct security duties across all dimensions, both physically and non-physically. Physically, ensure that the security protocols for the Papua XX PON event are followed well and ascertain that all personnel understand their respective duties and responsibilities despite it being safe so far, (remain vigilant)," he stressed.
He also noted that in responding to potential threats and disturbances, which would differ across locations, the approach should take into account the situation, conditions, culture, and local wisdom of each region.
"I believe that with sincere intentions for the sake of humanity and the progress of Papua, the national defense force-police force, along with all elements of Papuan society, will be able to ensure that Papua successfully holds the Papua XX National Sports Week," he stated.
Related news: Papua PON organising committee ensures readiness for opening ceremony
Related news: PB PON invites Papuans to utilize, benefit from sports facilities
Related news: PON opening ceremony to showcase natural beauty of Papua: KONI
