TNI Commander General Andika Orders Soldiers Carrying Weapons In Papua To Be Actioned

JAKARTA - The TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa ordered law enforcement officers in the TNI and the Army to take firm action against a Yonif 756/Wimane Sili soldier who took away an organic firearm of the SS2 V1 type.

"TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa has ordered all investigators and law enforcement officers of the TNI AD and TNI to carry out legal proceedings against the perpetrators and all parties who assisted in the occurrence of the crime," said Head of the TNI Information Center Major General TNI Prantara Santosa as quoted in a written release received in Jakarta, Monday, December 20.

The Head of the TNI Information Center further explained that the actions of Prada Yotam Bugiangge, the soldier who carried away weapons, had violated several articles in the Military Law Code (KUHPM), Law No. 8 of 1948, and Law No. 12 of 1951 on Fire Weapons.

In the same written broadcast, Prantara again confirmed the gun theft incident by Prada Yotam.

"It is true that (the perpetrator) has left the service without permission. The person (was) a member of Infantry Battalion 756, Kodam XVII/Cendrawasih in Keerom Regency, Papua, (Prada YB) with one SS2 organic firearm on Friday (17/12) at 17.00 eastern Indonesia time," said Prantara.

Head of Information for Kodam XVII/Cendrawasih Colonel Inf. Aqsha Erlangga on Sunday (19/12) said that the weapon that was taken away did not contain bullets/ammunition.

"Prada Yotam fled with an SS1 rifle without carrying ammunition," explained Kapendam XVII/Cendrawasih.

Prada Yotam, Aqsha explained, fled while on duty with Company C Senggi in Keerom Regency, Papua.

Prada Yotam is known to have received a call before leaving work and fleeing with a firearm.

So far, the TNI and other law enforcement officers are still looking for Yotam's whereabouts.

The motive for the theft of the weapon is not yet known by the authorities. This was reported by Antara.