Conflict in Papuan seemed not to end any time soon. The longer it stays, the greater the conflict will be. Both parties stand firm on their beliefs. The Indonesian government argues that Papua is also part of their regions as it used to be colonized by the Dutch. On the other hand, Papua people never consider becoming part of Indonesia before and after the colonization.
Lots of negotiations and discussions have been made. However, those did not seem to please the West Papua people. Although some people agree to be Indonesia citizens, some others create separatist and guerilla groups.
Those groups threaten other Papuans. Some of them are students, teachers, and religious devotees. As a ruler, the Indonesian government cannot let this happen any longer. The government takes every measure to ensure the area is clear and all citizens are safe.
Securing West Papua
As the new Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto had his tactics. He stated that in addressing the Papua conflict, it is not necessary to perform combat operations. When interviewed, he proposed non-combat operations instead.
To address conflict in Papua, he performed two operations: combat and non-combat. Non-combat operations were carried out by winning the West Papua people’s hearts. So, they won’t do anything that threatens Indonesia’s sovereignty.
In doing that, the military forces should come to the region in peace. Thus, those people won’t feel threatened by their visit. He believed that this would make Papuan people feel comfortable around them. To achieve that, the armed forces could do community services, health services, and counseling. However, they should also be prepared for combat operations when necessary. (Hadapi Sparatis Papua, Ini Strategi Panglima TNI | Pontas)
Non-combat Operation
Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, accompanied by Commissary-General Paulus Waterpauw, visited Papua some time ago. He paid inter-religious figures in Manokwari a visit. The visit was meant to be a field survey for Churchs securing measures during Easter.
The Indonesia Armed Forces did monitoring when correctional facility officers did some checking to inmates in Sorong. The Ministry of Law and Human Rights also monitored the process. They made sure that the process and luggage were safe.
Combat Operations
The Papuan government discussed with The Indonesian Armed Forces on teachers’ security in Beoga District, Puncak. Two teachers were shot before the event. The forces increased the security around the territory while kept the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in search.
The forces kept narrowing KKB movement space in Puncak. They had raided several hiding locations of the group. They also had carried out five combat operations in three weeks. The operations caused the death of four citizens, Chief of National Intelligence Agency for Papua, and a Mobile Brigade police force.
After KKB labeling as a terrorist group, the Indonesian government demanded The Indonesian Armed Forces synergize for Papua. They were demanded to carry out fast, firm, and calculated actions. The actions were meant to extinguish the group without hurting any single citizen. Kronik TNI April 2021 – Pusat Sejarah TNI (sejarah-tni.mil.id)
Pros and Cons
Seeing the conflicts in West Papua, the National Commission for Human Rights did not see the necessity to draw all forces from the territory. The Chief argued that if the armed forces did not control the situation, the Papua people received various kinds of violations.
Although violations occurred while securing Papua, KKB did no less harm. They even performed brutal violence that harmed the citizens. Chief Ahmad Taufan Damanik found it wrong that the forces should be drawn and kept the issue burning. He further stated that as a sovereign country, Indonesia should take effective and calculated measures. Damanik demanded that all measures taken to tackle the issue should be in line with Human Rights standards.
A similar notion was arisen by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD. He rebutted a statement that West Papua citizens required the armed forces to draw from the territory. He argued that the placement of the armed forces in the territory was requested by its people. He claimed that it was the terrorist group that requested the withdrawal of the armed forces.
Mahmud stated that the people needed help from the government to secure the territory. In doing that, many forces from other regions were asked to help secure the territory.
Damanik and Mahmud’s statements also acted as responses to the Director of Amnesty International Indonesia’s notion. Director Usman Hamid encouraged the People’s Representative Council to review their approach in securing Papua. He claimed that the approach only made the people more frightened. It also worsened people’s trust toward the Indonesian government. Komnas HAM Dukung TNI-Polri Lakukan Pengamanan di Papua | Page 2 – Nasional JPNN.com
Hamid was not alone. KontraS also supported the notion. First, the organization demanded the government to use a humane instead of a military approach. They viewed the military approach as full of violence. They requested that the government have a dialogue with credible representatives from Papua and asked the Indonesian government to give them the opportunity to choose.
Second, they demanded the government to cancel KKB redefinition into a terrorist group. Third, they demanded the government to find the best solution for the issue with West Papua government. Merespons Situasi Papua: Penurunan Pasukan TNI/Polri dan Wacana Mengelompokkan KKB sebagai Kelompok Teroris – KontraS
