Army Chief Of Staff Orders To Soldiers In Papua: Protect The People, Those Who Try To Disturb Strict Actions

Army Chief of Staff General TNI Dudung Abdurachman was appointed by soldiers while calling for YEL-yel when he inspected a pre-official exercise in West Java, Friday (12/5/2023). ANTARA/HO-Indonesian Army Information Service

JAKARTA - Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General TNI Dudung Abdurachman went directly to meet soldiers who were leaving for Papua to ensure readiness to carry out their duties in the area of operation.

Head of the Information Service of the Indonesian Army (Kadispenad) Brigadier General Hamim Tohari explained that the Army Chief of Staff as the supervisor of the Indonesian Army wants to ensure that its troops are ready, both from the exercises and equipment they will use while on duty in Papua.

"Mr. KSAD's activities see the battalions that will depart for operation (to Papua) in order to check readiness. This is what sent from the TNI Commander to carry out operational tasks, but the Army Chief of Staff as the supervisor of the Army's strength ensures that his troops are ready, both in practice and then the equipment to be used is equipped, and they are convinced to be ready to depart," said Brigadier General Hamim as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, May 12.

The checks to the headquarters of the Indonesian Army combat units were also deliberately carried out by the Army Chief of Staff for direct evaluation.

"KSAD wants to convince troops who are leaving are really ready, including evaluating what has happened so that it doesn't happen again," said the Head of Dispenad.

The Army Chief of Staff together with Deputy Kasad Lt. Gen. Agus Subiyanto and his staff from Kostrad and the main officials of the Indonesian Army Headquarters since last month toured the unit headquarters to check the readiness of soldiers who would be dispatched to Papua.

Several units were met directly by the Indonesian Army officials, including the Raider 300/Brajawijaya Infantry Battalion in Cianjur, West Java, then the Raider 433/Julu Siri Infantry Battalion in Maros, South Sulawesi, 726th Infantry Battalion/Tamalatea in Bone, South Sulawesi, the Raider 330th/Tri Darma Infantry Battalion in Cicalengka, Bandung, West Java, and the Raider 310th/Kidang Kencana Infantry Battalion.

Dudung, in each visit check the readiness of the troops, instruct the soldiers to continue to be vigilant, and not violate the rules. Kasad also advised them to take the time to pray for the smooth running and success of their duties.

The Army Chief of Staff while reviewing the pre-official training in Cibokor, Cibeber, Cianjur, West Java, Thursday (11/5), also conveyed the same instructions to soldiers of Yonif Raider 300/Brajawijaya and Infantry Battalion 310/Kidang Kencana, who participated in the training.

He asked soldiers to be vigilant, but firmly against armed criminal groups (KKB) and terrorist separatist groups (KST).

Dudung reminded that the duty of soldiers in Papua is to protect the people.

"Protect the Papuan people, because the Papuan people really really really want peace so that for groups who try to disturb the Papuan people, take firm action", Dudung told the soldiers.

He also ordered soldiers assigned to Papua to always be present to ease the burden on the people.

"Help people who have been intimidated, so that they can live in peace, security, and prosperity. Intention sincerely and sincerely that this assignment is to help the difficulties of the Papuan people, as well as to prosper them," said General Dudung.

Departure of a number of troops to Papua aims to replace soldiers who have served for 9 months or more on Earth of Cendrawasih. The assignment is a follow-up to the order of the TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono regarding the rotation of troops in Papua.