Securing 8 Youths Involved In Raising The Morning Star Flag, Papuan Police: It Was Planned For The OPM Anniversary

Kombes Ahmad Mustofa Kamal (ANTARA/HO-Nemangkawi Operations Task Force)

JAKARTA - The Papuan Regional Police continue to investigate the case of the raising of the Morning Star flag at the Cenderawasih Sports Center in Jayapura. A total of eight people have been arrested in connection with the case.

"The eight youths have been secured at the Papua Regional Police Headquarters," said Head of Public Relations of the Papua Police Kombes Ahmad Musthofa Kamal in a statement received in Jakarta, Thursday, December 2.

The perpetrators of raising the flag had the initials MSY, YM, MY, MK, BM, FK, MP, and MW. Currently, they are still being investigated intensively.

The flag-raising case, said Kamal, began when the perpetrators held a Padang Bulan Regional meeting in Abepura led by a man with the initials N, who is still being sought, on November 30.

During the meeting, the raising of the Morning Star flag was intended to commemorate the anniversary of the Free Papua Organization (OPM), which fell on December 1.

"During the meeting, Mr. N ordered the Morning Star Flag-raising ceremony to be held at the Cenderawasih Sports Center and continued with the Long Mars action towards the Jayapura port," said Kamal.

Then, on December 1, the plan was implemented. With a male action coordinator with the initials MY.

Until finally, when they passed in front of the Papuan Police, they were immediately arrested. Meanwhile, the flag that was previously stretched out in the courtyard of the Cendrawasih Sports Center was immediately lowered.

However, during the decline process, a few incidents occurred. Where, there was someone documenting that moment of decline.

"The person was chased by members of the Intelligence and Security Police of Jayapura Police and secured next to Mall Jayapura, then taken to the Papua Police Headquarters," said Kamal.