Mr Moeldoko's explanation is very useful, and we really laud the efforts of the Indonesian government in dealing with the Papua issue. I am also keen to visit Papua directly and hold a dialogue with the people thereJakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia employs a comprehensive approach to address the Papua issue and will no longer use a military approach, according to Head of the Presidential Staff Moeldoko.
"From the onset, the Indonesian government has understood and realized that the Papua issue could not solely be solved through a military approach," Moeldoko noted here on Tuesday during a meeting with New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia, Kevin Burnett. The statement was quoted from the Presidential Staff Office's official release.
The Presidential Staff head noted that the government will employ a comprehensive approach to address issues, such as education, health, and poverty, afflicting Papua.
"We have to solve the problems of education, health, and poverty, and those are important for Indonesia," he remarked.
Related news: Army doctors, students serve residents near Indonesia-PNG border
President Joko Widodo had issued Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2020 on expediting welfare development in Papua and West Papua to meet those ends. The program is led by Vice President, KH Ma'ruf Amin.
Nonetheless, Moeldoko acknowledged some changes in Papua following attacks by armed groups targeting public facilities, such as schools, and even strikes on teachers and doctors.
He believes such dynamics could not be ignored. However, he reminded that the troops dispatched to Papua were a form of back up assistance for the police force and not for the purpose of military operations.
Moeldoko highlighted that the soldiers deployed in Papua were also for border security purposes in accordance with the mandate of Law No. 34 of 2004 of the national defense force.
Related news: TNI distributes staple foods to residents in Papua's Paniai district
"When I was still the national defense force commander, my message to my personnel was that soldiers going to Papua had to put their hoes in front and their weapons strapped upon their backs. That means the approach to better welfare is number one," he affirmed.
Moeldoko's doctrine aimed to instill the idea that the arrival of soldiers in Papua should help in simplifying a difficult situation and encourage moving towards prosperity when poverty plagues. The soldiers are also expected to provide lessons and distribute health assistance to Papuans.
On the other hand, Burnett has been appointed as the New Zealand ambassador to Indonesia since September 2021. He was a military officer in New Zealand for 35 years prior to serving as ambassador to Indonesia.
Related news: TNI Commander supervises mass vaccination in Manokwari
“Mr Moeldoko's explanation is very useful, and we really laud the efforts of the Indonesian government in dealing with the Papua issue. I am also keen to visit Papua directly and hold a dialogue with the people there," the ambassador remarked, as quoted from the official release by the Presidential Staff Office.
Indonesia and New Zealand have intensified their bilateral relations following document signing by the two countries at the 9th Joint Ministerial Commission in July 2020. In the signed document, they agreed upon 45 points of action plans that will serve as a reference for the development of cooperation in the next five years.
Related news: Social communication part of TNI's priority programs in Papua: Perkasa
Related news: Nemangkawi task force's operational period extended till Jan 25
Translator: Indra Arief P, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
