A dreadlocked policeman in the Puncak Jaya area, Central Papua, has become known as a peacekeeper in the community. He often shares his story through video content that he uploads on the YouTube account “Kabut Mulia”.
For his efforts in the maintenance of peace in the midst of a conflict-prone region, Brigadier Amharet Rirei was proposed by the readers of online news site detikcom as a candidate for the 2024 Hoegeng Awards. The detikcom reader named Yanin Chandra put forward Brigadier Amharet’s name through the website.
Afterwards, detikcom contacted Yanin to dig deeper about the man nicknamed the ‘Dreadlocked Policeman’, Wednesday (15/2/2024). At first, Yanin spoke on how he got to know him.
“I happened to know him from his social media. Now there are many members of TNI and Polri (the army and police) who upload their activities online. Now from there I know him because it happened to be from YouTube uploads, among others, where he told many of his stories,” Yanin said when contacted.
His interest piqued; Yanin then became acquainted with Brigadier Amharet. To this day the two are still communicating with each other.
Despite the many members of the TNI and Polri who also upload their activities on social media, Yanin mentioned that Brigadier Amharet is different from the others.
“He is a native son of Papua, so the telling of his stories feels livelier. Then I also became interested in what he has done in the community, especially rural communities,” he said.
He said that as a member of the Puncak Jaya Police Intelligence Unit, Brigadier Amharet had traveled to many places in the mountainous region of Central Papua. Not just in Puncak Jaya Regency.
“Maybe it’s 60% of the central mountains of Papua, the Puncak Jaya mountains. He has explored a lot in Central Papua, Highland Papua, 60-70% of which he has explored. It’s rare, for members who are able to travel to that extent,” he said.
Yanin said that Brigadier Amharet plays a role in maintaining peace in Puncak Jaya. One that is done by interacting directly with the community.
Brigadier Amharet is said to often establish communication with rural communities with no exceptions, including in areas where Armed Criminal Groups (KKB) are active.
“They are usually found in remote areas and blend in. Where weapons are used, he is not easily provoked since he is part of the local community,” he said.
Yanin said Brigadier Amharet tries to keep the people there from being easily provoked, especially by views that are opposed to Indonesia.
In addition, Brigadier Amharet is also said to help in community activities. From there, Brigadier Amharet has invited people to love the country.
“Because he is indeed a native son of Papua who has been involved in many of his duties in order to increase the love of the Papuan people for the country,” he said.
Yanin spoke of the resilience of the Puncak Jaya community with Brigadier Amharet. He said the community there have learned to live independently since childhood.
In addition, the people there are quite independent. Brigadier Amharet is present there not only as a policeman, but involved in activities as a community.
“The role of the country’s servants is not so much to help, but to be actively involved in their activities. Whether it’s building a church, traditional house, and so on,” he said.
Puncak Jaya Then and Now
Contacted separately, Brigadier Amharet spoke on the condition of Puncak Jaya 10 to 15 years ago, which he learned from his senior.
According to him, around 2006, the Puncak Jaya area was known as a KKB prone area. One of them was designated as a red zone by the world.
“The UN designated it as a centre of military activity. So they have already decided that the community needed to evacuate. Then when all the military was deployed there, this area became safe,” Brigadier Amharet said.
According to him, this condition was expected to last until 2020. Because, he continued, in 2021 the situation began to be under control.
“So yes, the outbreak was around 2006. This place began to be considered as a base of military activity, which seems to have lasted up to at least 2019-2020, in 2021 the situation became more stable,” he said.
Brigadier Amharet then approached the residents. The approach was not one through force, but rather by teaching an understanding of the state.
He said that he is continuing what the previous members had done before. The approach was taken until finally KKB members began to turn themselves in.
The KKB member, said Brigadier Amharet, came out of hiding without force and unarmed.
“So, they joined as well as surrendered, they came out unarmed. They didn’t want to bring their weapons out. They said so we just went out. Indeed, being arrested is a risk. If we are forgiven and able to live as ordinary people, then we count ourselves lucky,” he said.
Building a Positive Image of Puncak Jaya
Brigadier Amharet himself has served in the Puncak Jaya area since 2012. He continues to build a familial approach to the community.
From there, an understanding of statehood can be conveyed well. Not to forget he also plays a role in helping community activities.
“We also help there, related to church construction, gardening, we take part there. So, they are starting to understand, we continue to invite them, let’s play around in areas that already have cities, meaning it already has a large population, “he said.
The approach was a success. In fact, former KKB members have now become village leaders to districts in Puncak Jata.
“Today. many former KKB have become Village Heads here, some have become District Heads, appointed by regional officials,” he explained.
Brigadier Amharet wanted to introduce Puncak Jaya to the public, that the area is now relatively safe. So it is no longer seen as a red zone area.
“I would love the people there to know that Puncak Jaya should not always continue to be seen as a red area. Where can I go, I have content that doesn’t just focus on one place. I can go to other areas in the mountains,” he explained.
Through his videos on YouTube, he wants to give a message that the Puncak Jaya area is safe. Because, he always travels to various places in the mountainous area.
“I can come here, because the area is indeed safe. I show people that it is safe here, there are no disturbances.”
Brigadier Amharet himself manages the YouTube account, from taking videos, editing, to uploading them.
He took a video using his mobile phone. As well as setting aside his salary to buy internet quota to manage YouTube.
“I’m also not a professional in video editing, but yes I just take what I can. To show these areas, this is already the situation. I’m not just at one place. In Puncak Jaya there are many districts, I don’t tell you all about Puncak Jaya. Even other districts also have stories,” he said.
He once traveled around on a motorbike from Puncak Jaya to the coast in Jayapura. The trip took for 4 days.
Brigadier Amharet did not find it difficult to set aside his salary for the activity. Because, the impact in the future can be felt by many people.
“Whatever help the people come to ask for, I love it personally. None of it comes from the service. We think it’s not just for now anyway. One day when we are no longer here, the results can have an impact on those who come here,” he said.
Obstacles in the Field
These peacekeeping activities carried out by Brigadier Amharet do not always run 100% smoothly. According to him, there are several obstacles.
One of the obstacles is natural factors, where weather and geographical conditions often pose hindrances for him. With high spirits, it can be overcome.
“The obstacle yes maybe we are here are factors like weather conditions, sometimes when we’ve reached a certain place, we get word that the road is broken so we have to stay overnight. So we have to go to other places using motorcycles,” he explained.
Related to the signal itself, there are no significant obstacles. It’s just that the internet connection in his opinion is not as fast as when he was in the city.
“Now here we are in every district there are built BTS for 4G. Those are our internet problems, but they’re not major. So sometimes I upload videos, with YouTube already open, and see it later in the morning. I sleep, and the video will be up in the morning,” he concluded.
West Papua Now 