Supervision of Maluku-Papua Waters Tightened

POLRES BINTUNI

Evidence of weapons and ammunition from Ambon, Maluku, which was confiscated by the Bintuni Police, West Papua, on February 3, 2021.

JAYAPURA, KOMPAS — The smuggling of weapons and ammunition for armed criminal groups (KKB) in Papua generally uses water routes from Maluku to Sorong, Manokwari, and Nabire. In this regard, security forces have tightened supervision in a number of sea corridors between Maluku and Papua to prevent the smuggling.

Prevention of the smuggling for the KKB is urgently needed to overcome the prolonged conflict in a number of places in Papua.

"We will increase supervision at three entrances, namely Sorong, Manokwari and Nabire. It is time for us to stop the supply of weapons and ammunition to the KKB,” said Papua Police Deputy Chief Brig. Gen. (Pol.) Matius Fakhiri when confirmed in Jayapura, Thursday (25/2/2021).

Also read: Happening Again, Security Officers Sell Weapons to Papuan Armed Groups

Matius confirmed that his side, together with the TNI (Indonesian Military), had foiled the smuggling of weapons and ammunition in the last few days. Five people were arrested on two separate days in Nabire. They are suspected of being part of the weapons and ammunition sales network from Makassar, South Sulawesi. Police in Nabire and Makassar are investigating the supply of weapons and ammunition from the network.

Based on data from the Papua Police, initially the National Police and TNI arrested three people who were suspected of being involved in the sale of ammunition and firearms, Monday (22/2), in Bumi Wonorejo subdistrict, Nabire. They were JWI, DJ, and RN. Of the three suspects, 20 bullets of the 5.56 millimeter caliber, Rp 84 million in cash, 2 motorbikes and 5 cell phones were confiscated.

A former member of the TNI was allegedly involved in the case of selling weapons and ammunition from the Makassar network.

Two other suspects were arrested on Tuesday (23/2), namely Ma in Kampung Lani and Ra on Jalan Poros of Yaro district. From the two of them, 2 airsoft guns, 10 bullets of the 7.62 mm caliber, 22 bullets of the 5.56 mm caliber, 2 cell phones, and 4 gas canisters for airsoft guns were confiscated.

"A former member of the TNI was allegedly involved in the case of selling weapons and ammunition from the Makassar network. He has been fired from his unit,” said Matius.

ANTARA FOTO/SEVIANTO PAKIDING

Residents fled under security guard at Ilaga Airport, Puncak Regency, Papua, Tuesday (1/10/2019).

Commander of the 173/PVB Military Resort (Korem) Brig. Gen. Iwan Setiawan, when contacted, admitted that his party cooperated with the National Police in the arrest of the perpetrators of sales of weapons and ammunition in Nabire.

"We work together with the police to prevent the entry of weapons and ammunition for the KKB. We will increase supervision at every entrance to Korem 173 territorial area,” said Iwan.

Also read: A New Approach for Papua

This case shows that attempts to smuggle weapons into Papua have continuously been carried out. Previously, two members of the Ambon City and Lease Islands Police, Maluku, namely chief brig. SAT and chief brig. MRA, were suspected of being involved in the sale of revolvers and assembled rifles that resemble the SS1 type. In addition, a soldier of the Indonesian Army from Battalion 733/Masariku allegedly sold 600 bullets of the 5.56 millimeter caliber. The weapons and ammunition were purchased by J, a Papuan. The purchase transaction took place in Ambon. On Feb. 10, J was arrested by police in Bintuni, West Papua. J wanted to distribute the weapons and ammunition to the custodians before being sent to KKB in Papua.

Stop the smuggling

Jayapura Bishop Monsignor Leo Laba Ladjar said the Catholic Church in Papua had urged security forces to stop and prevent the smuggling of ammunition and firearms to the Free Papua Organization. This is to prevent prolonged conflict from occurring in Papua.

"As long as this group still has weapons and ammunition, the conflict in Papua will not end. The situation in a region like Intan Jaya will not be conducive and residents will become victims,” said Leo.

KOMPAS/IWAN SETIYAWAN

Armed Police officers patrol around Pasar Mulia, Puncak Jaya Regency, Papua, Friday (18/11/2018).

According to data from the Papua Police, there were 49 security disturbances by KKB in Papua throughout 2020. KKB shootings took place in seven legal areas of the Papua Police, namely Nduga, Intan Jaya, Paniai, Mimika, Puncak Jaya, Keerom, and Bintang Mountains. A total of 17 people died.

In 2021, the shootings are still happening. For example, in Intan Jaya, seven terror acts were carried out by KKB from January to mid-February. Three TNI soldiers and two civilians died.

Maluku is one of the areas targeted by illegal arms and ammunition traders. In this regard, the Maluku Police has urged residents to hand over their weapons to the authorities.

Also read: Multiple Constraints in Papua

"For residents who voluntarily hand over their weapons to the authorities or to the local government, we ensure that they will not be prosecuted. However, those who are caught by the authorities for possessing the weapons will be prosecuted with the maximum threat of death penalty," said Maluku Police Public Relations Head Comr. M Roem Ohoirat in Ambon.

This can revive the trauma of conflict and mutual suspicion among fellow citizens.

Roem said it was possible that there were still many firearms and ammunition left over from the conflict that had been kept by residents in Maluku. Social conflicts occurred in Maluku for approximately four years from Jan. 19, 1999. At that time, many weapons were circulating in Maluku, which apart from being supplied from outside the region, were also assembled by the residents themselves.

The chairman of the Maluku chapter of the National Human Rights Commission, Benediktus Sarkol, said that the illegal arms trade and the involvement of a number of crooked officers in Maluku greatly disturb the sense of security of the community.

"This can revive the trauma of conflict and mutual suspicion among fellow citizens," said Sarkol.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.