West Kalimantan Deputy Governor Orders Labor to Investigate Chinese TKA in Ketapang Following Attack on TNI Member

JAKARTA - West Kalimantan Deputy Governor, Krisantus Kurniawan, asked the West Kalimantan Provincial Manpower Service together with the Immigration Office to immediately conduct a thorough investigation into the presence and activities of foreign workers (TKA) in West Kalimantan, following the incident of an attack on TNI members in Ketapang Regency.

"There is no justification for foreign workers who act at will while working in Indonesia, especially to carry out an attack on TNI members by 15 foreign citizens from Beijing in Ketapang Regency," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, December 17.

He emphasized that there was no tolerance for foreign workers who acted arbitrarily, let alone committing violence against state officials.

The TNI is a state tool tasked with safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, so that acts of attacking TNI personnel are serious violations.

"If there are foreign workers who attack TNI personnel, of course this cannot be tolerated. All must be prosecuted according to applicable laws," he said.

He said that the investigation was not only to uncover the chronology and motives of the incident, but also to ensure the legality of the work permits of the foreign nationals involved.

"In addition to their behavior, the legality of their work permits must also be checked. For foreign workers who violate the law or behave aggressively, they must be sent back to their home country. They are not worthy of working in Indonesia," he said.

The incident occurred in the area of PT Sultan Rafli Mandiri, Ketapang Regency, on Sunday (14/12). The incident began when four TNI soldiers from Zipur 6/SD Battalion followed up on reports of suspicious drone activity around the company area.

When approaching the drone operator, the TNI officers initially found four foreign nationals. However, not long after, as many as 11 other foreign nationals appeared and attacked TNI soldiers using sharp weapons, airsoft guns, and electric shock devices.

The Regional Secretary, Krisantus, emphasized that the local government would ensure that all foreign workers in West Kalimantan comply with applicable laws and regulations.

"Legal steps must be taken immediately so that the perpetrators are sanctioned in accordance with the provisions, while maintaining the dignity and safety of the TNI as a state tool," he said.

Kapendam XII/Tanjungpura, Colonel Inf Yusub Dody Sandra, explained that TNI soldiers took tactical steps to prevent a wider escalation of the conflict.

"The soldiers took steps to avoid escalation and retreated to the company area," he said.

As a result of the incident, one unit of a car and one motorcycle owned by the company suffered damage.

Meanwhile, the Commander of the XII/Tanjungpura Military Command, Major General TNI Jamallulael, stated that handling incidents involving foreign nationals was the authority of the relevant institutions at the central level.

He explained that the TNI in the region only played a role in facilitating and providing information to the authorized units, in accordance with the applicable standard operating procedures (SOP).

"In terms of hierarchy, the handling and delivery of official information has been carried out by the Intelligence Agency and related agencies in the center. We in the region only facilitate and provide supporting data," he said.