Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government ensures that the handling of armed criminal groups (KKB) in Papua does not ignore human rights values since the implementation is strictly measurable through a legal approach, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko stated.

"The president has warned about the handling of this KKB. Must be firm but must not ignore human rights," Moeldoko remarked while holding an online press conference for the 2021 Human Rights Festival at the Bina Graha Building, Jakarta, on Wednesday.

Prior to the plenary cabinet session on Tuesday (April 27), the Puncak district head received various inputs on the handling of KKB from the Indonesian military; national police; State Intelligence Agency (BIN); Ministry of Politics, Law and Security; and the National Counter Terrorism Agency (BNPT).

This effort has been followed up by the former Indonesian military (TNI) commander with dialogs with religious, cultural, and Papuan community leaders.

Through this step, Moeldoko is optimistic of appropriate handling of the KKB in Papua and not at the expense of several parties.

On the other hand, Moeldoko assessed that the crimes committed by KKB in Papua had entered a new phase, especially since their criminal acts were starting to lead to acts of terrorism that gave rise to insecurity, fear, and also murder of Papuan people.

"There is a suggestion to no longer use the term KKB but terrorist. Currently, this proposal is still being jointly studied," Moeldoko stated.

On the occasion, Moeldoko grieved the death of Head of Papua Intelligence Agency Brig. Gen. I Gusti Putu Danny Karya Nugraha.

He regretted that the incident occurred in the midst of the government's efforts to address the Papua problem through a welfare approach that was bolstered by the issuance of Presidential Instruction Number 9 of 2020.

To this end, Moeldoko noted that the government will act more firmly in enforcing the law according to the president’s instruction that there is no place for KKB in Papua or in any corner of the country.

Moreover, Papua is currently preparing a national agenda, PON XX, which is not only a sporting event but also an effort to boost the spirit and national ties.
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Translator: Rangga Jingga, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Suharto
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