Mahfud MD: The Treason Committed By Benny Wenda Was Only On A Small Scale

ANTARA / Mahfud MD

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD considered the declaration of independence called for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua or The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) led by Benny Wenda on December 1 as a small-scale treason movement. The government instructed the National Police to enforce the law against Benny and his supporters.

"The government responds to this by asking the National Police to enforce the law. If the scale is small, it is enough to enforce the law," Mahfud said in a press conference at his office, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, Thursday, December 3.

He asked the police to make arrests of anyone who supported this treason and used the existing articles.

"Arrest. Use the articles on crimes against state security. So it is enough because it is not too big," he said.

Mahfud asked the public not to worry and argue with the ULMWP's unilateral declaration via Twitter social media. Moreover, the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) thinks that this declaration shows that Benny is having an illusion.

"In our opinion, Benny Wenda is creating an illusory state, a country that does not exist in fact. What is the state of West Papua," said Mahfud.

Previously, the Speaker of the MPR, Bambang Soesatyo, criticized the unilateral declaration made by the ULMWP regarding the independence of West Papua. He said treason had occurred in this incident and stressed that his party supported the government to take firm and measured action.

He also supports diplomacy and uses state tools to protect the spirit and defend the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia. Moreover, so far, the international community has recognized Indonesia's territorial sovereignty and declared West Papua an inseparable part of the Republic of Indonesia.

"Therefore, the Indonesian government is obliged to protect and maintain the sovereignty of every inch of the Republic of Indonesia, including West Papua," he said.

In addition, Bamsoet considered that the government through the Minister of Foreign Affairs was deemed necessary to summon the British Ambassador to ask for an explanation of the position of the British government regarding the activities of the ULMWP group led by Benny Wenda. Not only that, the government is deemed necessary to deliver diplomatic notes to countries that support this movement, including Vanuatu.

"Delivering a diplomatic note on Indonesia's firm position on Papua to both the British government and the Pacific countries that support the separatist movement, including Vanuatu," he said.