Ahead Of The OPM Haul, No Special Security

JAKARTA - Three weeks from now will be a big day for the Free Papua Organization (OPM). Because, on Sunday 1 December, the OPM - an armed criminal group in Papua - will celebrate haul.

Last year, the OPM birthday celebration took its toll. 31 bridge workers in Kali Yigi and Aurak in Yigi District, Nduga Regency, Papua, died because they were suspected of being victims of the group's attack.

Based on information gathered, this attack occurred because Egianus Kogoyo, as the leader of the OPM, did not accept one of the workers who took pictures of their activities while raising the Morning Star flag belonging to this organization.

For this year, the police appealed to the OPM not to mobilize masses for their haul celebrations. However, the police also did not hold any special security in anticipation of the OPM movement during the birthday celebration.

"There are no special safeguards, what is clear is that we will carry out limited police efforts, namely dialogue with community leaders, religion to create conducive conditions," said Head of Public Relations Division of the National Police, Inspector General Muhammad Iqbal in Jakarta, Monday, November 11, 2019.

Head of Information at Kodam XVII / Cenderawasih Colonel Cpl Eko Daryanto said there was no security to welcome the OPM birthday.

"There is no security or special addition of troops," he said.

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD said the government would take part in anticipating the potential for riots during the OPM haul on December 1.

"We anticipate everything, all have SOPs in place, and every violation of the SOP will be prosecuted, even though it is done by internal authorities," said Mahfud MD at the Kemenkopolhukam Office, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, November 5.