May the Papua games proceed smoothly and peacefullyJakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's National Police confirmed that as of Wednesday, the security situation remained conductive in four different clusters of Papua's PON National Games.
To maintain and ensure the safety of the event, the police had launched Operation "Deraku Cartenz 2021," National Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Rusdi Hartono stated here, Wednesday.
The PON is currently held in Jayapura City and the districts of Jayapura, Mimika, and Merauke on October 2-15.
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At least 6,400 athletes and 3,500 officials from 34 provinces across Indonesia are reportedly participating in Papua's PON National Games that feature 37 events.
According to Hartono, the operation involves a joint team of police and military personnel as well as members of public order agencies to secure sports venues and other important places during the convening of PON.
"May the Papua games proceed smoothly and peacefully," he remarked, adding that the event was expected to contribute to boosting Indonesia's achievements in sports.
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Speaking in connection with Papua's security situation, Papua Police Chief Inspector-General Mathius Fakhiri had noted earlier that security disturbances by Papuan separatist terrorists would not disrupt the hosting of the Papua games.
In a statement issued on September 14, 2021, Fakhiri appealed to participating athletes and officials to not harbor concerns, as around eight thousand security personnel will secure the multi-sport event.
"The security situation in four regions that will co-host the PON National Games are far away from areas frequently disrupted by the armed Papuan separatist terrorists," he remarked.
Despite the conducive security situation, the Papua COVID-19 Task Force on Tuesday evening confirmed 29 COVID-19 cases in the four clusters organizing the Papua games.
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The 29 people are conducting self-isolation at designated sites, including floating isolation centers aboard MV Tidar for the Jayapura cluster and MV Sirimau for the Merauke cluster.
The 29 people exposed to the coronavirus comprise athletes, officials, and members of the event's organizing committee, the Papua COVID-19 Task Force spokesperson, Silwanus Sumule, remarked.
Home Minister Tito Karnavian has issued an instruction to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus disease during the convening of Papua's PON National Games.
Karnavian's Ministerial Instruction No. 46 of 2021 mandates all athletes, officials, organizing committee members, and spectators to comply with strict COVID-19 health protocols during the multisport event.
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Translator: Laily R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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