I urge all members of society to maintain conducive public security and order conditions, particularly to attract investors to expand their business in Papua
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Conducive public security and order conditions in Papua Province will accelerate development of the easternmost province of Indonesia, according to Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri.

Fakhiri stated that without conducive security conditions, local developments will be hampered and investors will not be interested in developing their business in the province.

"I urge all members of society to maintain conducive public security and order conditions, particularly to attract investors to expand their business in Papua," Fakhiri remarked here on Tuesday.

Some armed criminal groups are still at large in several regions, particularly in the Pegunungan Tengah region, he noted, adding that security officers and civilians are often being targeted during the criminal groups' attacks.

The inspector general urged members of Papuan separatist armed groups to disarm themselves, return to families and relatives in their hometowns, and contribute to local development to ensure its benefits for the people.

"As a member of the native Papuan community, I deplore the attacks perpetrated by armed criminal groups. They are not only attacking civilians but also attacking schools and community health centres," Fakhiri remarked.

He also expressed optimism that armed criminal groups would stop attacking public facilities, as schools are the places where children study and community health centres are where residents will go to seek medical assistance.

The police chief affirmed that the state apparatus assigned to maintain public security and tackle armed criminal groups' threats in the region would conduct their duties in accordance with the procedures without harming civilians.

"Officers have been told to not be indiscriminate in pursuing armed criminal groups because that action is what the armed criminal groups are hoping for. If officers are not careful, not only will their lives be in danger but their firearms and ammunition (could also be seized by the criminal groups)," Fakhiri remarked.

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Translator: Evarukdijati, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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