DPR Asks Prabowo To Take Strict Action On School Burning Perpetrators In Papua

The burning of the school building carried out by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Kiwirok District, Bintang Mountains Regency, Papua, has drawn strong criticism from the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR). Member of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Indrajaya, urged President Prabowo Subianto to take firm action against the KKB for serious crimes that cannot be tolerated.

The incident of burning the old Kiwirok State Junior High School building in Sopamima Village, which was allegedly carried out by the KKB from the Ngalum Kupel Kodap XV on Monday, October 13, at around 07.00 WIT, was considered a serious crime.

"burning school buildings is a very serious and unacceptable crime. In the Criminal Code (KUHP), building fires are included in the category of crimes against public security that can be threatened with imprisonment," said Indrajaya to reporters, Wednesday, October 15.

The Government Must Be More Firm And Comprehensive

The legislator from the South Papua electoral district assessed that the KKB violence showed that the government needed to take a more assertive and comprehensive step in dealing with the security situation in Papua.

Indrajaya also gave a number of suggestions to President Prabowo Subianto to overcome frequent riots.

First, he said, firm and thorough action is needed, so the president needs to increase security in vulnerable areas, conduct in-depth investigations, and ensure that the perpetrators are tried according to applicable law.

Then second, hold dialogue and mediation. The President must continue to dialogue and mediate with groups involved in violence, in order to find peaceful and long-term solutions for the Papuan people.

As well as the president is expected to order increased coordination between security forces, local governments, and civil society to create a safer, more stable, and conducive environment for development in Papua.

"The president must firmly order law enforcement officials to take action against the KKB in this arson case, in order to provide a deterrent effect and maintain public security and order. The government must not lose to the KKB," said Indrajaya.

The KKB action in Kiwirok was immediately responded to by the Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force together with the TNI, which managed to beat back the perpetrators after a shootout took place around the location.