President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has instructed the Government to immediately restore the security situation in Papua, especially in the Nduga and Intan Jaya Regencies. Jokowi conveyed these instructions when he opened the Plenary Cabinet Session on the first semester report on the implementation of the 2023 State Budget (APBN) at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (3/7/2023). “Restore security in Papua as soon as possible, especially in Nduga Regency, Intan Jaya, and other regencies,” Mr Widodo said on Monday. Jokowi also took the occasion to emphasise that political stability and public security in the 2024 election stages must be maintained so that voting goes well.
He also instructed that the non-judicial settlement of past gross human rights violations be monitored. Regarding the release of Susi Air Philips pilot Mark Methrtens who was held hostage by armed criminal groups (KKB) in Papua, Jokowi claimed that the government had made a number of efforts. “Actually, there are many things we are doing, but cannot reveal here,” Jokowi said at Halim Perdanakusma Air Base, Jakarta, Monday.
Jokowi also emphasised that the government will continue to negotiate with the KKB even though their negotiation deadline has passed. “We will continue negotiation efforts,” said the former Jakarta Governor.
For information, Philips Methrtens became a KKB hostage after the plane he was piloting was burned by the KKB at Paro Airport, Nduga, Papua Mountains, on 7 February 2023. The KKB under the leadership of Egianus Kogoya had threatened to shoot Methrtens on Saturday (1/7/2023), after the time limit given by them expired. Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) Commander Admiral Yudo Margono stated that the government still prioritises negotiations conducted by local religious and community leaders. According to Mr Margono, the government does not want the settlement process to resort to violence. “Yes, we don’t want to deal with armed violence because the impact will definitely be borne by the community, so we pursue the path of negotiations conducted by religious and community leaders,” said Yudo Margono, recently.
Meanwhile, TNI Head of Information Centre (Kapuspen) Rear Admiral Julius Widjojono said the KKB must have known the consequences if they actually shot the Susi Air pilot. “If the threat is carried out, I’m sure they know the consequences, especially from countries supporting Papuan independence,” Julius said when contacted on 30 June 2023. Julius said, if the KKB really shot Philips, it would make it easier for the authorities in the operation against the terrorist separatist group. “In terms of operational strategy, it will make it easier for the task force to carry out operations,” said Julius.
West Papua Now 