2,045 TNI Personnel From Kodam XVIII/Kasuari Distributed In West Papua To Secure The 2024 Pilkada

Illustration of members of the Indonesian Army. (Between-Aprillio Akbar)

WEST PAPUA - Regional Military Command (Kodam) XVIII/Kasuari has alerted 2,045 personnel to secure the implementation of the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada throughout West Papua Province.

Panglima Kodam XVIII/Kasuari Major General Haryanto mengatakan, TNI berkomitmen menjamin situasi keamanan wilayah agar tetap kondusif selama pelaksanaan Pilkada 2024.

"The initial plan for members involved in security is 2,045 people. The number can increase depending on the development of the situation," said the Pangdam in Manokwari, West Papua, Thursday, May 23, as reported by Antara.

Details of the distribution of regional election security personnel include Manokwari Regency 675 personnel, South Manokwari Regency 120 personnel, and Arfak Mountains Regency 190 personnel.

Then, Teluk Bintuni Regency 393 personnel, Teluk Wondama Regency 145 personnel, Kaimana Regency 220 personnel, and Fakfak Regency 302 personnel.

He said the implementation of the 2024 Pilkada security strategy in West Papua was divided into three stages, namely the prevention stage of conflict, the stages of conflict management, and the recovery stage due to conflict.

The TNI will synergize with the National Police, regional governments and leaders to optimize the stages of prevention of potential conflicts that will occur in order to realize the Pilkada of peace according to expectations.

"The security of the 2024 Pilkada is not only the duty of the TNI or Polri but all elements of the nation," said the Pangdam.

The Military Commander then reminded all TNI personnel to maintain neutrality by not being involved in practical politics, and not taking sides with one of the candidates for regional head candidates.

TNI personnel have the main task of ensuring regional security stability through early detection efforts of various forms of threats that can hinder the smooth implementation of democratic parties.

"So that the 2024 Pilkada is smooth, orderly, safe and peaceful to find the best regional leader," said the Pangdam.

Acting Assistant I for Government and Special Autonomy of the West Papua Regional Secretariat Oktovianus Mayor said the government together with the TNI-Polri ensured the conduciveness of security so that the public could channel their voting rights comfortably.

This has a positive impact on the voter participation rate in the 2024 Pilkada which is expected to reach 80 percent or higher than the 2024 election participation rate.

"This participation figure is very important because it is an indicator of the assessment of the 2024 Pilkada," said Oktovianus.