Mahfud conveyed the government's stance during an online press conference at the Office of Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Jakarta, Thursday, in connection with the escalation of incidents or violent acts in Papua in the last few days.
Armed civilian groups in Papua are categorized as terrorists, Mahfud remarked, based on the provisions of Law Number 5 of 2018 on Amendments to Law Number 15 of 2003 on Stipulation of Government Regulations in Lieu of Law Number 1 of 2002 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Terrorism.
The law states that terrorists are people, who plan, instigate, and organize terrorism.
Meanwhile, terrorism is any act that uses violence or threats of violence that creates a sense of terror or widespread fear that can cause mass casualties and or cause damage or destruction to vital strategic objects, environment, and public or international facilities, with the motive of ideology, politics, and security.
"Now, based on the definition stated in Law Number 5 of 2018, acts of the KKB and all the names of its organizations and people affiliated with it is a terrorist act," Mahfud remarked.
The minister noted that the government seconds the statements put forward by Chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly Bambang Soesatyo, State Intelligence Agency, National Police, and Indonesian Military.
Several community and Papuan traditional leaders, local governments, and members of the Papua Legislative Council (DPRD) that had visited the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs expressed support for the Government of Indonesia to take necessary actions to deal with acts of violence that recently emerged in Papua.
"Hence, what was stated by Chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly Bambang Soesatyo, State Intelligence Agency, National Police, and Indonesian Military as well as Papuan figures who came here was that they (KKB) committed massive brutal killings and violence," the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court stated.
Papua Intelligence Agency Brig. Gen. I Gusti Putu Danny Karya Nugraha was earlier shot dead by KKB in Beoga District, Puncak Papua, Sunday (April 25).
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Translator: Syaiful H, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Sri Haryati
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