Mahfud MD Said, The National Armed Forces Commander General Andika Has His Own Way Of Dealing With The Papua Problem

TNI General Andika Perkasa (Photo via Puspen TNI)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD mentioned two things that were discussed in a closed meeting in his office with the National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander General Andika Perkasa. One of them is about a new approach to Papua.

"Many things were discussed earlier but we will convey what has been our concern, the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs and the TNI Headquarters, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs and the TNI Commander are only two things. First, a new approach to handling Papua," said Mahfud at a press conference at his office, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, Thursday, November 25.

The former chairman of the Constitutional Court (MK) said that Andika, who had just been inaugurated, had a number of new ideas that the TNI would implement in its approach in Papua. However, Mahfud refused to elaborate on the main ideas that the former Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) had conveyed in a closed discussion this morning.

"The Commander already has ideas about the new approach and they will be presented in due course," he said.

Mahfud also emphasized that this approach would certainly not be related to the use of weapons. He said, the approach to handling Papua must be carried out by building comprehensive and synergistic welfare in accordance with Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2020, followed by Presidential Decree No. 20 of 2020.

"The point is that the Papuan approach is a comprehensive and synergistic welfare development," said Mahfud.

Completing Mahfud's statement, Andika Perkasa said that his party would use the legal basis that had been issued by the government to deal with problems in Papua. However, he will not reveal further about the ideas and steps he will take.

"I use the legal basis that has been issued by the government and I will explain it in detail later when I am in Papua next week," he concluded.