Evaluation of Pre-PON Papua Security

KOMPAS/KOMPAS/KODAM XVIII/KASUARI

A number of members of the TNI AD evacuate a number of their colleagues who were victims of an armed criminal group attack at the Kisor Koramil Post, South Aifat District, Maybrat Regency, West Papua, Thursday (2/9/2021). Four TNI members were killed and two of their comrades were seriously injured in this incident.

It is believed the assault on the District Military Command (Koramil) post in Maybrat, West Papua, will not disturb the preparations for the National Games (PON) in Papua. However, all forms of armed violence that occur are important to note for safeguarding PON.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — A month before the 20th National Games (PON XX) opens in Papua, evaluation of the latest security conditions in Papua and West Papua is needed. Dialogue with community figures should also be intensified in order to maintain the security of the sports festival.

On the other hand, a comprehensive investigation must be conducted into the attack on the Kisor Koramil post on Thursday (2/9/2021) in South Aifat district, Maybrat regency, West Papua, during which four Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers were killed. Besides identifying the perpetrators and motivation, an investigation would also prevent spreading an impression that the situation in Papua and West Papua Barat is unsafe in the days approaching PON.

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The first event of the Papua PON will take place on 22 Sept. 2021 in the city of Jayapura, while preparations for the opening ceremony, to be held on 2 Oct., is ongoing at Lukas Enembe Stadium in Jayapura regency. The Papua PON, which runs until 15 October, will be held in the four regions of Jayapura city, Jayapura regency, Mimika and Merauke. The multi-sport event will field 6,496 athletes and 3,300 officials from all provinces in Indonesia.

DOKUMENTASI PUSPEN TNI

TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto (center) inspects the Covid-19 vaccination activity in Sorong, West Papua, Saturday (28/8/2021).

“The incident [attack in Maybrat] will not disrupt preparations for realizing the Papua PON. Everything remains according to plan. Moreover, the incident was not the first in Papua. So far, such incidents have not happened in the cluster of four locations where the Papua PON will be held,” Youth and Sports Ministry Secretary Gatot S. Dewa Broto said when contacted on Thursday.

Nevertheless, Gatot affirmed that all incidents of armed violence that had occurred served as important notes for all parties to ensure safe progress of the Papua PON. The TNI and the National Police (Polri) were committed to safeguard the sports event. “Even now, security personnel are being mobilized from several regions in Indonesia to Papua,” he said.

To ensure security in Papua, National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo and TNI Commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto inspected a number of event venues in Mimika, Papua, on Saturday (28/8). Listyo called on all ranks of the TNI and Polri to prepare a safeguarding strategy for the safe, peaceful and trouble-free realization of PON.

KOMPAS/IRMA TAMBUNAN

Rowing athletes from Jambi practice physically in the Lake Sipin area, Jambi City, Friday (7/8/2021). Some athletes are focusing on preparing for the PON in Papua later this year.

From January to early September 2021, armed criminal groups (KKB) have launched 27 attacks in several different parts of Papua, comprising Jaya, Yahukimo, Nduga, the Bintang Highlands, Puncak and most recently, Maybrat. Thirteen security personnel and 13 civilians have been killed in the attacks, and 17 other personnel and 3 civilians have suffered gunshot injuries.

Four fallen soldiers

The four soldiers killed in the KKB attack on Kisor Koramil post are Kisor Koramil post commandant 1st Lt. Dirman, Sgt. 2nd Class Ambrosius Yudiman, Master Private Mohammad Dirhamsyah and Private 1st Class Zul Ansari Anwar. Meanwhile, two other soldiers, Sgt. 1st Class Juliano and Private 1st Class Ikbal, suffered severe injuries.

Regional Military Command XVIII/Kasuari commander Maj. Gen. I Nyoman Cantiasa said on Thursday afternoon in Manokwari, West Papua, that the KKB attacked the Kisor Koramil post at around 4 a.m. Eastern Indonesia Time (WIT), armed with sharp weapons.

“Based on information from five of our personnel who were safe, the perpetrators, totaling more than 30 people, attacked the station in pitch-dark conditions. They used no firearms but knives,” he said.

Cantiasa said the actual motive behind the attack was as yet unknown, but he indicated a belief that the group was displeased by the amicable relations between Kisor Koramil soldiers and local residents.

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the Free Papua Movement’s National Liberation Army, Sebby Sambon, said the group had been involved in the attack on Kisor Koramil post.

Stable security

Researcher Cahyo Pamungkas from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) said the government should investigate the killings of the four TNI soldiers in Maybrat. The investigation should identify the perpetrators and motivation behind the attack and determine the appropriate measures to resolve the problem.

“The investigation should also aim to prevent the impression from spreading that the situation in Papua and West Papua is insecure as the Papua PON approaches,” he said.

KOMPAS/KODAM XVIII KASUARI

Panglima Komando Daerah Militer XVIII/Kasuari, Mayor Jenderal TNI I Nyoman Cantiasa saat memberikan keterangan pers tentang serangan kelompok kriminal bersenjata terhadap anggota Pos Koramil Kisor di Kabupaten Manokwari, Papua Barat, Kamis (2/9/2021).

The government should use the month leading to PON, he added, to hold dialogue with community elders, religious figures and local leaders, who contribute to maintaining stable security conditions for safely holding PON.

West Papua Regional Representative Council member Filep Wamafma called for a pre-PON security evaluation. He also cautioned that maximum security should be maintained for PON venues. In addition, with the high community mobility during the sports event, mitigation measures for Covid-19 transmission were also needed.

Other technical matters should also be settled in organizing PON XX. He pointed out as an example the government’s as yet unsettled acquisition of communal lands that had now been converted into PON venues. (FLO/DRI/REK/SYA/NIA)

(This article was translated by Aris Prawira)