Wamena Riot is Not Ethnic Conflict, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi, accompanied by Minister of State Secretariat, meets reporters at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Monday (30/9). (Photo by: JAY/PR)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has expressed his deepest condolences over the death of several people in a riot that erupted in the city of Wamena in the Indonesian eastern province of Papua.

“33 people have died there,” President Jokowi told reporters at Bogor Presidential Palace in  West Java, Monday (30/9).

According to the President, security forces has worked hard to protect the residents there, while urging the people  not to treat this riot as an ethnic conflict.

“This was (the act) of armed criminal groups (KKB). They came down from the mountains and burnt down civilians’ houses,” President Jokowi said.

Chieftain of Lembah Baliem (Wamena), the President added, has also urged all citizens not to flee from Wamena. “I think this is a good appeal,” he said.

In addition, the President said that the police have also arrested several suspects who carried out the killings and arson in the city, which is the largest town in Papua’s highlands. (MAY/JAY/ES)

Translated by : Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Edited by : M. Ersan Pamungkas