The post is also used as a COVID-19 prevention checkpoint for those looking to enter or leave the village
Keerom, Papua (ANTARA) - Soldiers stationed in Skofro Lama Village, Arso Timur Sub-district, Keerom District, near the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border, built a community patrol post along with locals to stem the transmission of COVID-19, a military officer stated.

Apart from being a post for community patrol activities, or locally called "Siskamling," it was also erected for multiple purposes, including halting the spread of the coronavirus disease and promoting the spirit of togetherness among residents, Major Ahmad Muzani remarked.

"The post is also used as a COVID-19 prevention checkpoint for those looking to enter or leave the village," Muzani, the Infantry Battalion 131/ Indonesia-PNG Border Security Task Force deputy commander, noted in a statement that ANTARA received here, Monday.

The "siskamling" post was built through the involvement of several army personnel and villagers under the direction of the Skofro Lama Border Security Post's deputy commanding officer, First Sergeant Sembiring, Muzani revealed.

"We operate this post for upholding our togetherness with members of the local community," he noted.

ANTARA had earlier reported on the Indonesian soldiers deployed in Papua helping the locals through community services involving the provision of staple food, healthcare, mobile library, voluntary teaching, and street clean-up programs.

Last month, in the midst of a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, seven soldiers had donated bags of rice to native Papuans in Baidub Village, Ulilin Sub-district, Merauke District.

"We shared a little bit of what we get with our Papuan brothers and sisters," Lt Col Albert Frantesca, commanding officer of the 611 Infantry Battalion/Awang Long's Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Border Security Task Force, remarked.

The rice was distributed to locals by the border security checkpoint's commanding officer, Second Lieutenant Nyoman, and six soldiers. The donation is expected to help placate the burden on villagers.

In February this year, several soldiers from the 756/WMS Infantry Battalion's security task force had offered mobile health services to the residents of Beanekogom Village, Tembagapura Sub-district, Mimika District.

Such health services have routinely been offered as part of the task force's community service initiatives to ensure that the locals are in good health, according to officials.

The task force's commander, Major Marolop Edison Bala Hutapea, stated that the TNI is mindful of the difficulties faced by local residents and maintains an emotional connect with them.

Sincerity in conducting community services and tending to the needs of local communities would help in ensuring that the TNI security posts are useful to them, he added.

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Translator: Muhsidin, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2021