Coordinating Minister For Political, Legal And Security Affairs Summons TNI Commander Regarding Cases Of Violence In Papua

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto (central) gave a statement at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Building, Jakarta, Monday (25/3/2024). (ANTARA/Rio Feisal)

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto said he had summoned the TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto to follow up on cases of violence committed by TNI soldiers in Papua some time ago.

"When I heard reports that there was persecution in the Puncak area, Ilaga, I immediately took action," said Hadi Tjahjanto as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, March 25.

According to Hadi, TNI General Agus Subiyanto immediately ordered his staff to investigate the alleged violence that occurred in Papua.

"And the TNI Commander immediately carried out an investigation, went to the field. Then immediately went to Battalion 300 (Raider 300/Brajawijaya Infantry Battalion) and had taken joint action with the Army Chief of Staff," he said.

Hadi emphasized that the government is also proactive in dealing with humanitarian problems and asking for legal action against cases of violence.

"Then, if it is proven, legal action will be taken immediately in accordance with the actions made by the soldier, such as the pictures that have been circulating at this time," he said.

Despite the pandemic, Hadi asked the public to wait for the results of the handling of the case from the TNI Commander and Army Chief of Staff.

Previously, the TNI said it had investigated the contents of the video containing footage of the abuse of a man suspected of being carried out by TNI soldiers in Papua.

The show, which has gone viral on social media in the past 24 hours, shows the actions of a number of men, one of whom is suspected to be soldiers, taking turns beating and molesting a man who is tied up and injured standing in a drum.

In the broadcast, one of the perpetrators is suspected of being a TNI soldier because he was wearing a T-shirt that might refer to the unit name, namely the Raider 300/Brajawijaya Infantry Battalion (Yonif). The writing "300" in golden yellow is clearly printed on the chest of a green TNI Army.

Meanwhile, the Army Chief of Staff represented by the Head of the Indonesian Army Information Service Brigadier General Kristomei Sianturi apologized for the violence in Papua some time ago, whose video footage was spread on social media.

In a press conference at Denma TNI Headquarters, Jakarta, Kristomei said the actions taken by soldiers from the 300/Bjw Infantry Battalion would be used as evaluation and internal introspection within the Indonesian Army.

Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak has ordered the ranks of the Indonesian Army Military Police to investigate the soldiers.

"The Army Military Police, assisted by Pomdam III/Siliwangi, will conduct an investigation into the connection between the elements of TNI soldiers who were directly involved in this act of violence," said Kristomei.