Traditional Leaders: Don\'t Disrupt PON XX

KOMPAS/DOKUMENTASI HUMAS POLDA PAPUA

Head of the Papua Province Contingent, Inspector General (Pol) Mathius Fakhiri during the XX National Sports Week with athletes at the Mandala Jayapura Stadium, Papua, Thursday (9/9/2021).

JAYAPURA, KOMPAS — A number of traditional and youth leaders in Papua have called on all parties in the region to create a safe and conducive atmosphere ahead of the 20th National Games (PON XX), which is set to be held in the province early next month. The success of the national sports event was important to the pride of Papua, they said.

Herman Yoku, a Papuan traditional leader in Jayapura, said that any efforts with the potential to disrupt the national sports competition should be prevented, especially any actions related to the frequent and recent violence carried out by armed criminal groups (KKBs) in the province.

"The state must not lose to these groups. Let all Papuans welcome our guests from the 33 [other] provinces with an atmosphere of brotherhood," Herman said in Jayapura on Thursday (16/9/2021).

The Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) had also prepared a security strategy so athletes could compete safely.

Continuing, he said that the recent attacks carried out by members of KKBs had occurred in areas located far from the four host regencies and cities. The Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) had also prepared a security strategy so athletes could compete safely.

POLRES PEGUNUNGAN BINTANG

Hundreds of health workers walk around Oksibil, the capital of the Bintang Mountains Regency, Papua, Thursday (16/9/2021). This action is an expression of condolences and respect for Gabriella Meilani, a health worker who became a victim in an attack by an armed criminal group in Kiwirok District.

The four host “clusters” of PON XX are Jayapura city, Jayapura regency, Merauke regency, and Mimika regency. A total of 6,300 athletes and 3,000 officials are to take part in the biggest national multi-sport event.

Softball game

PON XX is scheduled to start with a softball game on Wednesday (22/9). The event, which will open officially on 2 Oct. and run through 15 Oct, features 37 sports and 10 exhibition sports.

It is the first Games to be hosted in Papua. Many parties in Papua, including traditional leaders, hope that the event will proceed smoothly, even though it is under the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"I hope that all residents will adhere to the health protocols during the PON events. Let the whole community show that Papua can carry the national sports agenda," said Herman.

Papuan Indigenous Youth chairman Yan Arebo said the government and all Papuan residents should not be afraid to support the Games because of the recent attacks by KKBs.

In January-September 2021, a total of 29 attacks took place in Intan Jaya, Yahukimo, Nduga, the Bintang Highlands, Puncak, and most recently in Maybrat, West Papua. The attacks this year killed 14 civilians and 13 security personnel, including four TNI soldiers who were guarding the Kisor military post in Maybrat.

HUMAS PB PON XX PAPUA

A team of technical delegations from a number of sports inspects equipment at the Papua Aquatic arena, Kampung Harapan, Jayapura Regency, Thursday (9/9/2021). The Papua Aquatic Arena is one of the 44 arenas of the XX National Sports Week in Papua Province.

The violence also targeted high school students whom the KKB believed were state informants.

“This group intentionally [attempted] to thwart PON by continuing to carry out [acts of] terror. The goal is that no single contingent would dare come to Papua,” said Yan.

Papuan Police chief Insp. Gen. Mathius Fakhiri said that as many as 8,275 police officers would be deployed to the four regencies and cities hosting the Games to prevent any potential security disturbances while the sports events was being held at 44 venues.

"Thousands of TNI-Polri personnel will strengthen security, namely guarding the entire premises of PON XX venues. We will also request additional troops, especially from the Nemangkawi Task Force and National Police headquarters," said Mathius, who also heads Papua’s PON contingent.

In Jakarta, Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali assured that PON XX was ready to open. “In fact, there has been a trial. As the slogan says, “The people can do it”, [so] Papua will be able to organize the national event. Papua\'s success is Indonesia\'s success," Zainudin said in an official statement. (FLO/JON)

(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi).