Police Ready To Disband Illegal Protests, Jayapura Police Chief: Residents Shouldn't Be Provoked By Demonstration Against New Autonomous Region

Jayapura Police Chief AKBP Fredrickus Maclarimboen. ANTARA/HO-Polres Jayapura Public Relations

JAYAPURA - Jayapura Police Chief AKBP Fredrickus Maclarimboen asked the local community not to be provoked by the issue of demonstrations against the establishment of a New Autonomous Region (DOB) in Papua.

"The public is welcome to carry out activities, but avoid points that are rumored to be gathering places for demonstrators and remain vigilant," he said as quoted by Antara, Monday, May 9.

The demonstration against the new autonomous regions in Papua will be carried out by a group on behalf of the Papuan People's Petition (PRP) on Tuesday, May 10.

He explained that his party would prepare as many as 600 joint military and police personnel to secure the demonstration against DOB in the area.

"We will carry out patrols in Sentani City to keep the situation safe tonight," he said.

He added that the security forces ensured security when there was a demonstration in the jurisdiction of the Jayapura Police.

"What is certain is that we are ready for security tomorrow and we hope that this demonstration will not disturb public order," he said again.

Information was obtained, the Jayapura City Police had also anticipated security disturbances in the event of a demonstration against DOB by preparing 1,000 personnel.

The Jayapura City Police Chief previously emphasized that if any groups emerged, strict action would be taken by forcibly disbanding them according to procedures. The police never close the democratic space to express aspirations, as long as it complies with the requirements stipulated in Law No. 9/1998.

"Regarding the planned demonstration on Tuesday (10/5) in Jayapura, they did not meet the formal requirements according to the rules, even a notification letter or permit was given like a thief, where they came to give a letter without telling what the purpose was and immediately ran away," said Urbinas.