Papuan Security on Track ahead of Official PON Opening
Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police personnel are working together in an effort to ensure that the National Games (PON) run smoothly and safely.
PON security forces in Papua from 2-15 October 2021.
JAYAPURA, KOMPAS — The security condition in Papua is on track ahead of the official opening of the National Games (PON), which will be held on 2 Oct. According to Kompas monitoring on Tuesday (28/9/2021), Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police personnel were seen on guard at Sentani Airport and along the way to the games venues.
Security forces were also seen in various corners of the cities and regencies where the sporting events would be held. They also helped regulate traffic to prevent congestion on the highway.
The presence of police and military personnel did not worry the residents. People carried out their normal activities, and all shops and offices were open as usual.
The atmosphere became livelier, with many banners welcoming the PON participants.
Most of the military and police personnel were assigned to guard the sporting venues. In the roller skating arena at the Klemen Tinal Roller Sport Stadium in Jayapura regency, for example, a dozen security officers stood guard in the arena and the bleachers. Dozens of other security officers were seen on guard outside the competition area.
A resident of Abepura, Jayapura regency, Maidom Boni Labok Abepura, 23, said he was not surprised to see a lot of military and police personnel assigned to ensure the safety of the games The number of the security personnel guarding the games is believed to be larger than of those assigned to dispel riots or demonstrations in Papua recently.
"We are happy that many military and police personnel have been assigned to secure the Games. We would also be ashamed if people disturbed security during the holding of the games. It would be a bad image for Papua. We want the PON to be safe and smooth so that guests can return home with a good impression of Papua," said Maidom.
TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto and the head of the National Police, Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, jointly reviewed the final security simulation for the games on Tuesday. Both were confident that the security officers were ready to maintain public safety so that the games could run safely and smoothly until the close of events on 15 Oct.
Kompas/Wawan H Prabowo
Joint officers guard the entrance to the Lukas Enembe stadium complex in Harapan Village, Nolokla Village, East Sentani District, Jayapura Regency, Papua, Tuesday (28/9/2021). XX PON Papua 2021 will be opened on October 2, 2021.
A total of 9,371 military and police personnel have been deployed to guard sporting venues and other areas in three regencies and a municipality where the games are being held. “There is cooperation between the TNI, the police and volunteers to secure the PON. A security simulation has been carried out. We hope that from opening to closing, the games will run smoothly," said Hadi, who was joined by Listyo after watching a rehearsal for the opening of the games at Lukas Enembe Stadium.
A number of sporting competitions, such as softball matches, have been held in Jayapura city since 22 Sept. However, the 2021 PON will be officially opened by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at Lukas Enembe Stadium on 2 Oct. The closing ceremony will be held at the same place on 15 Oct.
Some 37 sporting events and 10 exhibition sporting events will be held in four venue clusters, namely in Jayapura city, Jayapura regency, Mimika regency and Merauke. In total, there are about 6,300 athletes and 3,000 officials from 34 provinces taking part in the games.
Listyo said that in addition to the military and police presence from the joint force, called Deraku Cartenz 2021, there will be personnel from the Nemangkawi Task Force, which is usually responsible for preventing terror attacks by armed criminal groups, to secure the games. In total, some 11,000 security officers will be present.
“All personnel have been assigned to their respective positions with a four-level security system, from ring one to ring four. We hope their presence can ensure the safety and smooth operation of the PON," he said.
Kompas/Wawan H Prabowo
Glittering lights adorn the Lukas Enembe Stadium complex in Harapan Village, Nolokla Village, East Sentani District, Jayapura Regency, Papua, Monday (27/9/2021).
The head of the operations bureau of the Papuan Police, Sr. Comr. Tri Atmodjo, said 50 officers would be assigned to guard arenas that were less prone to security disturbances. As for places at high security risk, as many as 200 personnel would be deployed. "We also do sterilization before the arena is used," he said.
Azis Matdoan, a spokesman for the PON’s organizing committee, said his party had prepared metal detectors to screen spectators. The number of spectators allowed to enter an arena is limited to 25 percent of its total capacity. Before entering, the spectators must show a document indicating that they have received two Covid-19 vaccine doses.
Extra protection
Contingents of each region have also prepared extra security protection for athletes and officials. Yogyakarta, for example, has included 14 military and police personnel in its contingent.
“The participating provinces have also been asked to include security officers in their contingents. They guard the athletes in plain clothes while in Papua. They don\'t look flashy, so that athletes are comfortable," said the chairman of the Yogyakarta branch of the Indonesian Sports Council (KONI), Djoko Pekik Irianto.
Papuan roller skate athlete from Semarang, Central Java, Muhammad Bagus Laksmendra, who has been in Papua for three months to prepare for the PON competition, said the security condition in Papua was on track.
“We feel safe because we are always guarded here. Papuans are also kind, very welcoming. Everything is quite different from what is widely reported ," said Bagus.
Meanwhile, the Papuan contingent still led the medal tally on Tuesday with nine golds, two silvers and three bronzes. Jakarta was in second place with six golds, four silvers and five bronzes.
This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.
