The Indonesian Embassy In Dili Asked For Timor Leste's Clarification Regarding The Shooting Of Indonesian Citizens At The Border

JAKARTA - The Ambassador and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Dili moved quickly to respond to the shooting of Indonesian citizens (WNI) on the border of the Republic of Indonesia - Timor Leste.

An Indonesian citizen named Paulus Kaet Oki was reported to be a victim of tensions on the RI-Timor Leste border on Monday. The bullet that hit him was certainly not a live bullet, but a rubber bullet.

Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vahd Nabyl Achmad Mulachela said the Indonesian Embassy in Dili brought the shooting victim for treatment at the hospital.

"The Indonesian Ambassador in Dili has visited the location, and coordinated with the parties in the field about the incident," he said in a statement to reporters, Wednesday, August 27.

"The Indonesian Embassy in Dili has also immediately asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for clarification on this matter," he added.

The incident at the border between the two countries occurred on Monday, when residents in Patok 36 Nino Hamlet, Imbate Village, Bikomi Nillat District, North Central Timor Regency (TTU) were involved in tensions with the Timor Leste Border Police (UPF) regarding the problem of installing regional stakes.

The Commander of the RI'RDTL Border Security Task Force (Dansatgas Pamtas) Lt. Col. Arh Reindi Trisetyo Nugroho said an Indonesian citizen (WNI) from TTU Regency named Paulus Oki was shot on the RI-Timor Leste border.

"The shooting incident in the Inbate area, Bikomi Nilulat District, TTU Regency occurred when there was a conflict between Indonesian citizens from the TTU and Timor Leste foreigners on land disputed between Indonesia and Timor Leste (25/8)," said Dansatgas Pamtas as reported by Antara.

As a result of the shooting, one person was injured. It is certain that the victim was shot by rubber bullets.

"It's not a live bullet, so the condition of the wound is only minor injuries," he said.

Meanwhile, TTU Regent Yoseph Falentinus Delasalle Kebo said, on Sunday, August 24, Timor Leste asked permission from Inbate residents to install border markers.

"Our residents ask that the installation is not carried out in Patok 36 which is still in the status quo," he said.

The 12.56 hectare land around Patok 36 is still in dispute and there is no official agreement between the Indonesian government and Timor Leste.

However, according to Yoseph, the residents' requests were ignored by the Timor Leste Border Police or Unidade Patrullamentu Fronteira (UPF), which on Monday began to make a benchmark at the location.

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"We are actually still waiting for the central government's instructions. Residents are also asked not to move on the land," he said.

Yoseph explained that the unilateral stabbing action sparked the anger of Inbate residents and led to attacks on residents around the border. UPF officials then fired warning shots to disperse the crowd.

He hopes that this issue will not drag on and will soon be resolved by the governments of the two countries.

"We have asked residents to refrain from the clashes," he added.