Manokwari Alert! 6,300 TNI Soldiers Guard Demonstration Action

Illustration of members of the TNI (ANTARA)

MANOKWARI - Regional Military Command (Kodam) XVIII/Kasuari alerted 6,300 Army soldiers to anticipate anarchic actions during a demonstration in Manokwari, West Papua, on Tuesday, September 2.

Chief of Staff of Kodam XVIII/Kasuari Brigadier General Dian Hardiana in Manokwari, Monday, said the move was part of an effort to maintain stability in the security of the provincial capital.

"The TNI is committed to supporting the police in maintaining a conducive regional situation," said Hardiana, quoted by ANTARA.

He said the deployment of thousands of troops was not to curb the aspirations of the community, but to prevent provocative actions or anarchic actions that could potentially harm the wider community.

The Commander of Kodam XVIII/Kasuari Maj. Gen. Christian Kurnianto Tehuuteru has issued instructions for soldiers involved in security to be deployed to a number of vital objects in Manokwari.

"The vital objects that we have secured include Pertamina Depots, regional government offices, DPRD offices, and others," he said.

He said that public opinion submission must comply with the provisions regulated through Law Number 9 of 1998, so as not to disturb public order.

The Kodam together with the West Papua Regional Police and local governments continue to build intensive coordination to ensure that the implementation of the demonstration security pattern is effective.

"The demonstration is legal, but it must be orderly. Convey it peacefully, and we, the apparatus, are tasked with guarding the activity," said Herdiana.

He invited all people in Manokwari to remain calm and not be easily influenced by the spread of hoax issues through social media that intend to cause public panic.

TNI-Polri officers need support from the community so that the security of demonstrations in responding to socio-political dynamics runs optimally in accordance with joint expectations.

"We hope that people will continue to carry out normal activities. Don't be provoked by information that is not yet clear," he said.