The TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa changed the title of the task force (Satgas) located in Papua and West Papua. He said the title of the Task Force and units in Papua must be the same as other regions in Indonesia.
This was done following President Jokowi’s direction, who wanted activities in Papua to run normally.
“With normal TNI titles as in other provinces, we can also help create security for example, because from the military aspect, security is our strong point,” Andika said at a press conference at Kodam XII/Cenderawasih Papua, accessed from the Puspen TNI Youtube account (4/12).
“With an example that within the period of 2 years, from last year until now, the operation carried out by the TNI Headquarters in Papua succeeded in obtaining 111 weapons,” he continued.
Andika said the change would essentially organize the Task Force held by TNI Headquarters into units that carry out the organic main tasks and functions (tupoksi).
The task force which has been held in Papua for the Army has become the Military District Command (Kodim) with troops under it the Military District Command (Koramil). Its main function is to focus on territorial development and social communication.
Andika continued, for the elements of the Task Force from the Air Force to be part of the Air Base with the main tasks of fostering aerospace potential and social communication.
Meanwhile, the Task Force that will operate from the Navy became a Marine Base with the main tasks of fostering maritime potential and social communication.
These changes aim to make activities in Papua run normally.
“The President and the government have always wanted activities in Papua to be normal. For example, PON Papua. That’s what he decided from the first time he served as President, I know this because at that time I served as the Commander of Paspampres and I heard it myself what he wanted,” Andika said.
He then compared the title of TNI strength in Papua with other regions in Indonesia. In the past 2 years, operations carried out by TNI Headquarters in Papua have succeeded in obtaining 111 weapons.
But in Sumatra, without mentioning the province, Andika said Kodam managed to acquire 160 weapons within two years.
Meanwhile in Kalimantan, during the same period as normal activities, Kodam managed to get 516 weapons, almost 5 times more that of Papua.
He added that there was also a Kodam that obtained 620 weapons in normal activities within two years.
“However, have we ever heard of the frenzied use of violence in these places? Almost none at all,” said Andika.
“This means that with a normal strength title, we can provide help without anyone being victimized. Therefore, I have confidence that we can do the same thing here using the normal unit title concept,” he concluded.
Previously, the TNI had intended to change its approach in dealing with the Papuan conflict. The plan was revealed by the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, General Andika Perkasa, after being sworn in by President Jokowi.
The Army Chief of Staff, General Dudung Abdurachman, also reaffirmed the plan. Dudung sword to check the professionalism of the soldiers in Papua.
Source: CNN Indonesia
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