He suggested that the government make firmer and tougher policies and tactical measures regarding the mitigation of both occurring and potential risks.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Deputy Speaker Syarief Hasan on Saturday reiterated his calls for the Indonesian Government to take firmer actions against the Papua separatist movement (OPM).

"I have repeatedly pushed for the government's firmer, braver, and tougher actions in dealing with the dynamics in Papua. Don't wait for more deaths, and disturbances to the stability of Indonesia's sovereignty," he said.

The latest victim of the armed Papuan rebels' brutality is the commandant of the 1703-04 Aradide Subdistrict Military Command Second Lieutenant Oktovianus Sogalrey.

Sogalrey was assaulted and shot dead while riding a motorcycle in the Pasir Putih neighborhood area of Aradide Subdistrict, Paniai District, Central Papua Province, on Thursday, April 11.

Hasan said the shooting that led to the Aradide commandant's death was just one of deadly incidents having occurred in Papua, and disturbed the integrity of Indonesian sovereignty.

The incident should become a starting point for implementing a new approach for Indonesian diplomacy over Papua, and redefining its national defence in responding to what and how the Papuan separatists are placed, he added.

To this end, he suggested that the government make firmer and tougher policies and tactical measures regarding the mitigation of both occurring and potential risks.

The synergy and substitution in enforcement of sovereignty has no longer been an option but a real need as staying quiet poses greater risks for Indonesia's sovereignty, he said.

"On the other hand, our regional geopolitical situation is apparently more dynamic. Papua's current tragedy is indeed a blow for the state's sovereignty," Hasan said.

Over the past few years, armed Papuan groups have often employed hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian security personnel and mounted acts of terror against civilians in the districts of Intan Jaya, Nduga, Puncak, and Maybrat to incite fear among the people.

The targets of such acts of terror have included construction workers, motorcycle taxi (ojek) drivers, teachers, students, street food vendors, and even civilian aircraft.

On December 2, 2018, for instance, a group of armed Papuan separatists brutally killed 31 workers from PT Istaka Karya engaged in the Trans Papua project in Kali Yigi and Kali Aurak in Yigi Sub-district, Nduga District.

Early in the morning of September 2, 2021, several members of a Papuan separatist terrorist group operating in Maybrat District ambushed soldiers while they were asleep at the Kisor military post. The post is located at Kisor Village, South Aifat Sub-district.

On March 2, 2022, many members of an armed Papuan group operating in Beoga Sub-district, Puncak District, killed eight Palaparing Timur Telematika (PTT) workers who were repairing a base transceiver station (BTS) tower belonging to state-owned telecommunications operator Telkomsel.

On February 7, 2023, New Zealander pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens was taken hostage by the Egianus Kogoya-led armed group.

Philip was piloting an aircraft belonging to Indonesian airline Susi Air when the armed group captured him. Members of the group set his plane on fire shortly after it landed in Nduga District.

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Translator: Fath PM, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Arie Novarina
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