Gov’t to Restore Internet Access in Papua, West Papua

The Indonesian Government has announced it will gradually lift internet restriction in the provinces of Papua and West Papua provinces starting Wednesday (4/9) at 23:00 WIT (Eastern Indonesian Time).

Acting Head of Public Relations Bureau of Ministry of Communication and Informatics Ferdinandus Setu in his press release Wednesday (4/9) said that internet access are set to be restored in 19 regencies in Papua province, namely Keerom, Puncak Jaya, Puncak, Asmat, Boven Digoel, Mamberamo Raya, Central Mamberamo, Intan Jaya, Yalimo, Lanny Jaya, Mappi, Tolikara, Nduga, Supiori, Waropen, Merauke, Biak, Yapen, and Sarmi.

“However, we will continue to monitor the situation in ten regencies in Papua province, namely Mimika, Paniai, Deiyai, Dogiyai, Jayawijaya, Bintang Mountains, Numfor, Jayapura city, Yahukimo and Nabire within the next one or two days,” he said.

Internet access is also to be restored in ten regencies in West Papua province, namely Fakfak, South Sorong, Raja Ampat, Bintuni Bay, Wondama Bay, Kaimana, Tambrauw, Maybrat, South Manokwari, Arfak Mountains, he added. However, the Government, he said, will continue to monitor the situation in Sorong city, Sorong regency and Manokwari city within the next one or two days.

Ferdinandus went on to say that the move is made after coordination with relevant authorities and based on the consideration that the security in those regions have improved.

However, although the number of fake news and hoaxes, provocations, as well as hateful comments related to Papua and West Papua has begun to decline, Ferdinandus urged the public not to spread them again through any media—especially on social media—to help speed up the restoration of security throughout the two provinces.

As previously reported, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto has said that the number of the hoaxes circulating in Papua and West Papua has now declined to 10 percent. After coordinating with Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces, Chief of the Indonesian National Police, and Head of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN), Wiranto said the Government had decided to lift internet access restriction.

“We will lift the restriction on 5 September if the situation improves,” Wiranto said in Jakarta, Tuesday (3/9). (Ministry of Communication and Informatics PR/ES)

Translated by: Galuh Wicaksono
Edited by: Muhammad Ersan Pamungkas