I believe that the people in Papua are peace loving people, and they love this nation and country,
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has ordered restoration of security and order in Papua and West Papua Provinces following riots that damaged several public facilities and offices, including Antara News Agency's bureau, in Jayapura.

"I instruct that security and order in Papua and West Papua must be restored. Every citizen without exception must be protected and their dignity must be respected," Jokowi said here on Friday while chairing a limited cabinet meeting on Papua.

Damaged public facilities must be repaired, and schools, shops and public service offices must resume operation, he added.

Anarchic and violence perpetrators and provocateurs must be held accountable for damages they caused.

He asked security personnel take firm actions against those vandalizing public facilities and committing anarchist actions, as well as those involved in racist slurs, with no exception whether they are civilians or military personnel. . "We have security rules. Anybody violating the law must be dealt with sternly. We do not tolerate rioting and anarchy. We order security apparatuses to take stern measures against anybody engaging in a racist slur in any form," he said.

He had been informed of the legal measures imposed on the civilian and military personnel involved in the racist slurs, Jokowi said.

"The measures have been imposed without exception. I have also ordered the immediate restoration of security and public order in Papua. The dignity and self-respect of all citizens without exception must be protected," he said.

"I believe that the people in Papua are peace loving people, and they love this nation and country," Jokowi said.

Also present at the meeting were Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Minister/State Secretary Pratikno, Chief of the State Intelligence Body Budi Gunawan, Chief of the National Defense Forces (TNI) Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, Chief of the National Police General Tito Karnavian, and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung. On Thursday, the residents of Jayapura, the Papua provincial capital, staged another protest against the alleged racist slurs targeting Papuan students in Surabaya, East Java, on August 16, but the rally turned violent.

On Wednesday, violence had erupted in Deiyai District, some 500 kilometers away from Jayapura, Papua Provinces capital city, resulting in the deaths of an army soldier and two civilians.

Related news: Papua police chief asks businessmen to resume activities

Translator: Sigit Pinardi, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2019