Pangdam Kasuari Prioritizes Security Of 31 TPS In Maybrat, Southwest Papua

SORONG - Pangdam XVIII/Kasuari Maj. Gen. Ilyas Alamsyah Harahap prioritizes securing 31 polling stations (TPS) in Maybrat Regency, Southwest Papua which are considered to have the potential for conflict.

This was conveyed by the Commander of the XVIII/Kasuari Military Command Maj. Gen. Ilyas Alamasyah while leading the deployment of the 2024 General Election security force in Aimas Square, Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua, Thursday, February 2.

"We prioritize the security of 31 TPS in Maybrat, because the potential for conflict is large, so where will the TPS move us, we will stick to it," explained Kasuari Military Commander Ilyas Alamasyah.

He said whatever the KPU did as a security organizer would continue to be maintained until all processes at 31 polling stations in Maybrat were completed.

He did not mention exactly the number of personnel to be placed at 31 polling stations in Maybrat, but what is certain is that the priority of security in conflict areas remains a major concern.

"I'll count it first, I don't mention the number because the conflict area is quite vulnerable, so I don't tell the number of personnel, otherwise we will also count the people there," he said.

He assessed that the security conditions in Southwest Papua and West Papua are still being maintained in a conducive manner until the voting process is scheduled for February 14, 2024.

Therefore, he asked the entire community not to hesitate to channel their voting rights in the 2024 General Election, precisely on February 14, 2024.

"I hope the public will not hesitate to come to the TPS on February 14 because I make sure that the entire process will take place safely," he hoped.

The General Election Commission (KPU) of Southwest Papua Province has confirmed that 31 polling stations (TPS) in five districts (sub-districts) are prone to disturbances by armed criminal groups (KKB) in Maybrat Regency will be shifted to Yayapa area, East Aifat District.

Chairman of the Southwest Papua KPU (PBD) Andarias Kambu said the shift of 31 polling stations from the five districts of KKB-prone areas was the result of an agreement on all components so that the public could exercise their voting rights on February 14.

"There are 31 polling stations from five districts mapped as vulnerable areas shifted to places that are considered safe, namely in Yayapa Aifat Timur. Later the process of voting and counting votes will be carried out in that place," said Andarias.

He expressed his appreciation for the support of the TNI/Polri who are committed to making 31 polling stations in Maybrat a priority for security in the 2024 General Election.

"We also hope that the community will support in terms of actively exercising their voting rights. Elections are a means of democratic sovereignty. All citizens who have the right to vote can distribute them at all polling stations on February 14 because they will determine the direction of the nation's development policies and regions in the next five years," said Andarias.

The local KPU determined the number of voters who were on the permanent voter list (DPT) in Southwest Papua Province as many as 440,826 people, spread over five districts and cities of Sorong, 132 districts (sub-districts), 1,013 sub-districts and villages (villages). The total number of polling stations in the Southwest Papua region is 2,156.