Vice President: It's Time For The TNI-Polri To Firmly Pursue The Papuan KKB

Vice President (Wapres) Ma'ruf Amin. (doc Setwapres)

JAKARTA - Vice President (Vice President) Ma'ruf Amin asked members of the TNI/Polri it is time to take a firm stance against armed criminal groups (KKB) in Papua.

This was conveyed by the Vice President after the fall of one TNI soldier, Pratu Miftahul Arifin, during a shootout between the TNI and KKB while trying to free the Susi Air Pilot in Papua.

"The Vice President emphasized that now is the time for the TNI and Polri to take a firm stance in conducting a precise search and pursuit of the KKB and not disturbing the civilians," said Spokesperson for Vice President Masduki Baidlowi in a written statement, Tuesday, April 18, which was confiscated by Antara.

Masduki said the Vice President believed that the Papuan civilians strongly condemned all brutal actions and the movement of the KKB which damaged the joints of harmony and peace in the midst of the Papuan people, especially the Papuan Mountains.

Masduki said that the Vice President expressed his deep sorrow to the TNI extended family for the death of Pratu Miftahul Arifin while in charge of maintaining the security and sovereignty of the state in the Papua region.

According to him, the Vice President strongly criticized the KKB violence that again claimed the life of a TNI soldier in the midst of his struggle to protect the people and mission humanity to save the Susi Air Pilot who was still held hostage by the KKB.

"The vice president also feels the loss, this is a tough test for the families and fellow TNI soldiers who have been left behind," he said.

However, said Masduki, the Vice President hopes that Pratu Miftahul Arifin's courage, dedication and sacrifice can inspire and motivate all parties to continue to fight to create peace in Papua.

He said it was a big government agenda to build sustainable peace and stop prolonged conflict.

"The vice president appealed to all security forces on duty in Papua not to be afraid as a result of this incident, while remaining vigilant, steadfast, and brave in dealing with KKB violence," he explained.

Masduki said the Vice President prayed that Pratu Miftahul Arifin, who died as a nation's hero, would receive all his deeds of service, and be placed in the best place in the sight of Allah SWT and his family and TNI colleagues who were left behind, would be given strength and fortitude in dealing with the disaster.

"The Vice President believes that the spirit of patriotism and love for the country that has been inherited by Pratu Miftahul Arifin will remain attached and continue to live within all of us," he said.