West Papua Fakfak District Office Fire, Police Begin To Examine Several Witnesses

Conditions of the Central Fakfak District Office, Fakfak Regency, West Papua Province which caught fire on Friday (18/8/2023) at around 03.30 WIT (ANTARA)

MANOKWARI - Head of Public Relations of the West Papua Police, Police Commissioner Adam Erwindi, said that his party was investigating the fire incident at the Central Fakfak District Office, Fakfak Regency, on Friday at around 03.30 WIT.

"Until now, the Fafkak Police are still investigating the cause of the fire," Adam Erwindi told ANTARA in Manokwari, Friday, August 18.

According to the testimony of a witness, said Adam, the lighting of the district office was extinguished a few minutes later, fire was seen from the archive room.

People around the location who saw the incident immediately tried to extinguish the fire, and reported to the Fakfak Resort Police.

"Initial information was only the office building that caught fire, there were no casualties," said Adam.

The police, he said, are committed to thoroughly investigating the fire incident at the Central Fakfak District Office, including the burning of the Kramamongga District Office and 4 Kramamongga State Junior High School in Fakfak Regency.

In the previous incident, 25 unknown perpetrators damaged and burned two public facilities and then tortured the Head of Krambongga District to death.

"The police will investigate whether it has anything to do with vandalism and arson in Krambongga District or not," said Adam.

Adam appealed to all components of society in Fakfak Regency to remain calm and not to be provoked by wild issues spread by certain individuals with the aim of disrupting security stability.

The police have also anticipated the spread of hoax information with provocation nuances uploaded through social media such as Facebook, Twitter and even WhatApss.

"Don't be provoked by all forms of issues aimed at provoking. This case has been handled by law enforcement officials, and it must be thoroughly investigated," said Adam Erwindi. Deputy Chairman II of the West Papua DPR Saleh Skunun said the case of burning two public facilities and the persecution of the Head of the Krambongga District to death had to be thoroughly investigated.

The police must convey to the public if dozens of perpetrators are related to certain organizations or groups, so that vigilance is increased.

"If it is indicated that there is a certain organization behind the incident, just open it up. There is no need to hide, and the state must not lose to them," said Saleh.

He suggested that the police immediately set up checkpoints in locations that could potentially conflict, so that local people feel safe in their daily activities.

He said Fakfak and Manokwari Regencies had a dark record of the incident of racism on August 19, 2019, which is why the burning of public facilities ahead of the 78th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia must get special attention.

"Take firm action against all the perpetrators involved. We all still remember the tragedy of August 19 in 2019, this is a note that must be of concern," said Saleh Skunun.