The Roots Of The Papuan Conflict Until The KKB Was Determined By Terrorists And What Are The Consequences?

Illustrations (Doc. Puspen TNI)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD ensures that the government has categorized the Papua Armed Criminal Group (KKB) and all organizations and people who support it as terrorists. This made the Land of Cenderawasih heat up. So what is the real basic problem in Papua? What are the consequences for the designation of the terrorists?

The designation of the KBB as a terrorist came out after the group carried out a series of attacks in Papua. Since 8 February, for example, there have been at least five incidents involving the KKB. At that time they attacked a resident in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua. As a result, hundreds of residents fled because of fear.

A month later, on April 9, to be precise, a teacher at SMPN 1 Julukoma in Beoga District, Punca Regency, Papua became the victim of the KKB shooting. The victim, known as Yonatan Randen, was shot by KKB at his house.

Still in the same month, on April 25, sad news came from the body of the Indonesian National Army. Papua Regional Intelligence Agency (Kabinda) Head Brig. Gen. I Gusti Putu Danny Karya Nugraha was shot dead by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Beoga, Puncak Regency, Papua.

Brigadier General I Gusti was shot while inspecting the burning location of an elementary school and a number of houses by the KKB. The incident added to the list of TNI-Polri members who died on the land of Cenderawasih.

Most recently, yesterday April 28 the death toll came from the KKB camp. Head of the Nemangkawi Public Relations Task Force, Kombes Iqbal Al Qupdusy, claimed that nine members of the KKB were killed in a shootout that took place around the KKB headquarters in Olenski, Ilaga Utara District, Puncak Regency.

Illustration (Photo: Antara)

Root of the problem

Riko Tude, an activist of the Indonesian People's Front for West Papua (FRI-WP), is of the opinion that the designation of the KKB as a terrorist will not solve the fundamental, especially for the Papuan people. "This will only open new wounds. There will be more victims than before," said Riko when contacted by VOI today, April 29.

Riko said that one of the fundamental problems in the Land of Papua is regarding the recognition of political rights and related to the rectification of history there. "This is what the government often ignores."

The political rights that Riko mean is about fighting for the right to self-determination. According to him, determining the KKB as terrorists would only make it difficult for them. "Those who fight for these rights can be categorized as terrorist networks."

In fact, according to Riko, the struggle was carried out through peaceful means. However, he said that the peaceful path was instead repaid with repressive treatment.

"Meanwhile, we know how to fight for their political rights. Why repressing those who are fighting for this peaceful path. Then with the determination of this terrorist, it will be easier for the authorities to take action against him," said Riko.

The consequences of being designated a terrorist

Conflict observer Alto Luger via his Twitter account said the determination of the KKB as a terrorist was not without implications. First, from a political perspective, the Indonesian government will benefit.

"So far, many sympathizers or supporters of the radical ideology of terrorism have always played the narrative accusing the government of just labeling terrorists with Islamic groups. With the inclusion of the Papua KKB as terrorists, these narratives will be easily refuted," said Alto.

Combating Criminal Acts of Terrorism. There are several implications that will occur as a consequence of the intended political decision. 1. According to Law 5/2018, eradicating criminal acts of terrorism is the domain of the Indonesian police.

- Alto Banditos (@AltoLuger) April 29, 2021

Because they are designated as terrorists, the spearhead of solving this problem according to the law is in the hands of the National Police because they fall into the realm of criminal acts. Meanwhile, the TNI is a supporter of the Police, especially in suppressing armed terror acts.

According to Alto, his actions would be different if the KKB were established as an armed rebel group, aka dissident armed forces. "If this is done, the spearhead of the operation will be the TNI, in accordance with Law 34/2004 on the TNI and also the rules in humanitarian law."

Deradicalization problem

What the government also has to think about in determining the KKB terrorists, according to Alto, is the matter of its deradicalisation program. Because according to Law No.5 of 2018, a person who is proven to have committed a criminal act of terrorism needs to be given a deradicalization program. "Starting from the time he was a suspect, defendant, convict, convict until he became a former convict."

The deradicalization program according to PP 77/2019 is the domain of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, the Attorney General's Office, and the National Police which is coordinated by the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT). Meanwhile, the problem is that religious terrorist groups are usually deradicalized by religious leaders, if terrorist organizations such as the Papuan KKB, which fall into the category of ethnic separatist terrorism, are resolved by whom? "Is it a religious figure too? Or who? This is the homework of the BNPT."

Another problem concerns the prevention and eradication of terrorism financing crimes which must also be done in tackling acts of terrorism. From here the Police must be careful, because the National Police must look at the flow of funds from people, groups or organizations, including church organizations in Papua who are suspected of being affiliated with the KKB.

"Here this is very good and indeed is the mandate of Law 9/2013. However, the government really needs to enforce the law smartly and carefully because every mistake is made, for example arresting Christian / Catholic religious figures who are proven to have channeled funds to groups. Papuan terrorists, can be used as propaganda material, including to increase the collective support of Papuans through church channels, "said Alto.

And in the end, with the inclusion of the Papuan KKB as a terror organization, according to Alto the things that need to be considered are the strengthening and adjustment of the Special Datasemen 88 Anti-Terror Polri. "The Densus needs to be restructured. For example, by increasing the Densus structure and being led by a Police Commissioner General or a 3 star," he concluded.

BERNAS Others