Army Chief Of Staff Responds To The Mention Of KKB As OPM: TNI Will Not Hesitate To Take Action In The Field

Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak (ANTARA)

BADUNG - Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak stated that changing the name of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) to the Free Papua Organization (OPM) would have an impact on the approach in Papua.

"Really. I say we have no doubts about moving," said Maruli when answering reporters' questions regarding the change in the mention of the KKB to OPM after the release of the hatchlings at Pandawa Beach, Badung Regency, Bali, quoted by ANTARA Friday, April 27.

He said the policy of the TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto on April 5, 2024, to change the mention of the name of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) to the Free Papua Organization (OPM) had an impact on the performance of the TNI, especially those on duty in Papuan areas to take action in the field.

He said that so far TNI members who work in Papua are still hesitant in deciding to take action against KKB members, especially the difficulty of distinguishing between those who are members of the KKB from those who are not members of the group.

The Army Chief of Staff emphasized that his party would not hesitate to make a decision if members of the TNI in the field find people who own weapons and endanger the safety of the apparatus and the community. "There are things that make our members doubt in their steps. For example, simple examples if we look at carrying weapons, do we have to let it go first, we report it, because there is a violation of the law. If it is considered as an OPM, it is armed, dangerous, then we will follow up," he said.

However, the Army Chief of Staff did not explain in detail the change in the duties and functions between the TNI and Polri as a result of the change in the mention of the name. "It is better to ask him (Panglima), as long as he explains, we have discussed what are the obstacles in overcoming problems in Papua. He has decided like that and we have also been ordered to do this, so we will do it," he said.

Maruli Simanjuntak said the current situation in Papua had begun to improve, and the community was active as usual.

"Developments are good. As far as I know the development is getting better, the community has begun to be maintained, we have arranged so that activities can continue to be carried out properly," he said.

Previously, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto said the name of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) was again referred to as the Free Papua Organization (OPM).

This is because the group calls itself the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) the same as the OPM.

This step changed the decision of the Coordination Meeting of the Ministry of Political, Legal and Security Affairs on April 29, 2021, which agreed to the mention of the OPM to the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) or the Separatist Terrorist Group (KST). The TNI Commander has also issued a warrant dated April 5, 2024, ordering the XVII/Cendrawasih Military Regional Command and the XVIII/Kasuari Military Regional Command as well as ranks to reuse the term OPM.