Gov’t Urges Provocateurs to Stop Destabilizing Papua

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto accompanied by the TNI Commander and the Indonesia National Police Chief after delivering press statement at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Friday (30/8). (Photo by: Rahmat/PR)

The riots that sparked in Papua and West Papua occurred because there were some irresponsible people who deliberately created chaos, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto has said.

“We already know who is trying to benefit from the riots and we warn them to stop it,” Wiranto said when delivering his press statement after attending a Limited Cabinet Meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Friday (30/8).

Citing a report from the Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), the Coordinating Minister said that a weapon belonging to the TNI riot troops was missing. The weapon was put in the car because during the riots in Deiyai, the TNI personnel were not permitted to carry guns.

“With a good persuasive approach, the ten weapons have returned. Alhamdulillah (praise be to God) the public has good awareness to return the weapons,” he said.

On the same day, the Government held a meeting with figures from Papua. “The meeting was not conducted to looking for scapegoats but to discuss how we can stop the riots as soon as possible,” he added.

According to him, there were a lot of suggestions and inputs from the Papuan figures in the meeting. However, it is impossible for these suggestions to be implemented if the situation is not favorable enough.

Wiranto also asserted that the option of referendum was not discussed in the meeting since the 1962 New York Agreement stating that Papua—formerly known as West Irian—is part of the Republic of Indonesia. (FID/DNA/RAH/ES)

Translated by: Galuh Wicaksono
Edited by: Mia Medyana