Ministry Of Home Affairs Scolds Papua Governor Lukas Enembe For Driving To Papua New Guinea Via 'Jalan Tikus'

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) reprimanded the Governor of Papua, Lukas Enembe, who went to Papua New Guinea by riding a motorcycle taxi via the "rat road".

The Director General for Regional Autonomy at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Akmal Malik, said that Lukas Enembe had violated statutory regulations when he visited abroad.

"The ministry, in carrying out its function of guidance and supervision, reminds as well as gives a warning so that in carrying out its duties as Governor, it must always comply with all provisions of the laws and regulations, especially those that govern overseas visits," said Akmal in a letter of warning received by VOI, Sunday, 4 April.

Akmal reminded all regional officials to comply with Article 67 letter (b) of Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government. This article states that the Regional Head has the obligation to comply with all provisions of the statutory regulations.

The regulations regarding foreign visits for both official and important reasons have been regulated in Law Number 23 of 2014 and Regulation of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 59 of 2019 concerning Procedures for Overseas Travel within the Ministry of Home Affairs and Regional Government.

"In order for the administration of government to run in accordance with statutory provisions, the government shall provide guidance and supervision," said Akmal.

For information, Papua Governor Lukas Enembe was deported because he entered the rat road to Papua New Guinea by riding a motorcycle taxi. This was confirmed by the Head of the Immigration Division at the Papua Human Rights Ministry of Law and Human Rights Regional Office Novianto Sulastono. Papua Governor Lukas Enembe and his two assistants who entered PNG illegally or without documents.

"It is true that the Governor of Enembe and his two assistants were deported, so the Indonesian Consulate in Vanimo issued a passport-like replacement letter (SPLP)," said Sulastono.

"Three SPLPs were issued by the Indonesian Consulate in Vanimo, Friday, April 2, respectively on behalf of Lukas Enembe, Hendrik Abidondifu and Ely Wenda," said Sulastono who was accompanied by Jayapura Head of Immigration Office Agus Makabori in Skouw.

Papua Governor Lukas Enembe previously admitted entering Papua New Guinea via footpath using a motorcycle taxi. Enembe admitted that he went to Vanimo on Wednesday, March 31 to get treatment for his illness.

"It is true that I went to Vanimo via a footpath using a motorbike taxi for treatment," said Governor Enembe in Jayapura.

He stated that while in Vanimo he sought treatment and therapy due to his illness.

"I was wrong because I entered PNG through traditional roads or footpaths, but it was done because I was forced to seek treatment and therapy due to my illness," he continued.