Immediate Solution Needed for Papua

HUMAS POLSEK BEOGA

The condition of SMP Negeri 1 Beoga, Puncak Regency, Papua, which was burnt on fire on Monday (12/4/2021).

Papua continues to be marred by security disturbances by armed criminal groups. An immediate solution is needed, and it should be stated in the revision of the Special Autonomy Law for the region.

On Wednesday (14/4/2021), an attack conducted by an armed criminal group (KKB) against civilians in Puncak regency, Papua, occurred again when a motorcycle taxi driver was shot dead in Eromaga village. The houses of two residents were also burned. Earlier, the criminal group burned down a number of schools in Beoga, Puncak regency. Two teachers in Beoga were also shot dead. The KKB accused them of spying for security forces. (Kompas, 13-14 / 4/2021)

Also read: Reducing Armed Conflicts in Papua

The security disturbance conducted by the KKB in Papua was not the first. It has occurred many times. According to data from the Papua Police, there were 49 security disturbances conducted by the KKB throughout 2020. Shootings occurred in seven regions, namely Nduga, Intan Jaya, Paniai, Mimika, Puncak Jaya, Keerom and Bintang Mountains. A total of 17 people died due to KKB attacks.

Three soldiers and five civilians have died, while a soldier and a local resident were seriously injured.

A total of 10 KKB attacks have occurred in 2021 so far, which killed members of security forces and residents. Three soldiers and five civilians have died, while a soldier and a local resident were seriously injured.

The government\'s efforts to develop the region and improve the welfare of the local people have been hampered by security disturbances conducted by the KKB, which must not be underestimated. Why? Civilians, such as teachers and motorcycle taxi drivers, have become innocent victims. In fact, many members of the army and the police have also been killed.

Also read: A New Approach for Papua

If it is not resolved immediately, the daily activities of the residents, the economic activities of the community and regional development will be hampered. It is now the time to immediately solve the problems that have occurred in Papua for many years. What\'s more, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which is far from over, Papua also needs to accelerate its mass vaccination program, which still faces many obstacles.

KOMPAS/FABIO MARIA LOPES COSTA

Work on the Trans Papua road in Yalimo Regency, Papua, in September 2018.

Amid a surge in the security disturbances, the House of Representatives is currently discussing a revision to the Papua Special Autonomy Law (UU). The public hopes that the revision of the Papua Special Autonomy Law will be a solution to the problems in Papua, including those related security disturbances.

It is also hoped that the team in charge of the revision of the law, which comprises members of the House and the Home Affairs Ministry, will go directly to the field to listen to and absorb the aspirations of the Papuan people. Apart from the fact that Papua\'s 20-year special autonomy has not brought a significant impact on province’s residents, the law is still focused on the interest of the political elites. This should, therefore, be avoided in the revision.

Also read: Volume II of Papua’s Special Autonomy?

The government needs to fix the political communication process, which according to Prof. Dr. Ramlan Surbakti, is the process of conveying information about politics from the government to the people and from the public to the government.

In the political communication, trust between these parties plays a significant role. If there is distrust, political communication would be stalled.

Mutual trust must be built so that an ideal political communication process can be established. The government and the House should have the political will to make this happen. If not, Papua\'s problems will never be resolved. One of them is that security disturbances will continue in the future.

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.