The Request for a Weapon Gain Weapon Does Not Make the TNI-Polri Recede in Pursuing and Law Enforcement

The Request for a Weapon Gain Weapon Does Not Make the TNI-Polri Recede in Pursuing and Law Enforcement

Papuan separatist groups offer a ceasefire amid the COVID-19 pandemic, on condition that the Indonesian government agrees to withdraw all non-organic military forces there.

If a ceasefire is agreed, the West Papua National Liberation Army of the Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) promises not to attack health facilities, ensure the smooth distribution of medical devices and medicines, and help spread information related to COVID-19 to the public.

"That is true if Indonesia withdraws all non-organic military from Papua. Because the fact is that the TNI / Polri is currently mobilizing military in large numbers, "said TPNPB-OPM Spokesperson, Sebby Sembom.

Sebby claims that currently the military operations of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Armed Forces have been dispersed in several districts and cities in Papua such as Ndugama, Lani Jaya, Timika, Tembagapura and Bintang Mountains.

The head of the TNI Information Center, Major General Sisriadi, refused to take seriously the OPM offer, which the government considered an armed criminal group.

"Do you know what a truce means?" Sisriadi asked. "Is Indonesia in an armed conflict? Please read the Geneva convention, Sisriadi told BenarNews.

Kapendam XVII Cenderawasih, Lt. Col. Eko Daryanto, and Wakapendam XVII Cenderawasih, Lt. Col. Inf Dax Sianturi, declined to comment on the offer of a ceasefire. Likewise with the Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security, Mahfud MD.

Based on the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute report, the comparison of security forces with the ratio per capita of the population in Papua ranges from 1:97, i.e. there is one police or army for every 97 people. This figure is higher than the national level which ranges from 1: 296.

From this ratio, it is currently estimated that the combined number of TNI-Polri troops standing guard in Papua is around 37,000.

On the other hand, Wakapendam XVII / Cenderawasih Lt. Col. Inf Dax Sianturi, at the end of December 2019, claimed the number of separatist groups in Papua and West Papua reached 50,000 to 60,000 people.

Sebby said, if the Indonesian government refused the offer of a ceasefire, the TPNPB and OPM threatened to continue to fight in various areas, including in the Freeport Indonesia gold and copper mining area in Tembagapura.

The TNI-Polri will continue to pursue and enforce the law on what the Papuan KKB group is doing, regardless of their requests, which actually have begun to fear the Corona virus pandemic (Covid-19) because they do not have health logistics.