DPR Law Commission: KKB Persecution Of Truck Drivers To Death Is Really Barbaric And Obligatory

OPM burning trucks in Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Mountains. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Commission III of the House of Representatives condemns the act of mistreatment of residents in Yahukimo, Papua Mountains, which is suspected of being the action of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Papua. The victim died and his car was burned down.

"What the KKB has done in Papua is barbaric and heinous. They are terrorists who continue to carry out acts of terror and disturb the public!" said Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives Prince Khairul Saleh, Friday, August 2.

The case in Yahukimo began when the victim, who was carrying 15 other passengers, was about to go to the location to collect wood. The victim named Abdul Muzakir is the driver of a CV.

While crossing Jalan Kampung Massi, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Wednesday (31/7), suddenly the victim's car was intercepted by 6 KKB members who were carrying firearms and sharp weapons.

Panicked, the victim then turned around his car but the car had an engine failure with a transverse position on the shoulder of the road. Furthermore, the victim, the witness and the passenger fled. But then the victim was found dead covered in blood with many cuts, and the truck was burned.

Pangeran mendesak polisi segera menangkap serta menindak pelaku secara hukum. Pangeran menambahkan, Polri juga harus memastikan keadaan 15 penumpang yang melarikan diri bersama korban. Ia juga meminta kekerasan yang dilakukan KKB untuk ditindak tegas.

"Make sure the other residents who fled the KKB in Yahukimo are safe. Every criminal act must be dealt with firmly, indiscriminately. We urge the security forces to immediately arrest and try the perpetrators of this violence," Pangeran said.

Pangeran appreciated the National Police who together with the TNI continued to try to crush the KKB. He then emphasized the importance of the law enforcement approach with the criminal justice system when facing KKB violence in Papua.

"Because what has been done has violated human rights by losing the lives of innocent people. So not only spreading terror, they also continue to commit criminal offenses," he said.

Furthermore, Pangeran reminded the Government to ensure that the Papuan people feel safe and protected from the threat of the KKB. According to him, this includes increasing the presence of security forces in vulnerable areas and providing assistance to victims of violence.

"The government must provide maximum protection to civilians in Papua. Residents must feel safe and protected in their own homes. Assistance to victims of violence must also be given immediately," said Prince.

"We must respect the right to life in a safe and comfortable manner for the people in Papua. It's a pity that innocent people continue to be victims of violence," he continued.

Commission III of the DPR in charge of law enforcement and human rights affairs asked the Government to also prioritize social and cultural approaches. Moreover, said Pangeran, the KKB recruited many residents, including young people like in Yahukimo, because many of the perpetrators were known to be young.

"But development approaches, socio-cultural, and humanism need to be accompanied by firm law enforcement," he said.

Pangeran emphasized that peace and justice must be a common goal in Cenderawasih Earth. For this reason, efforts and hard work so that the rights of the Papuan people to be protected need to be a priority.

"We cannot allow KKB violence to continue to grow and harm civil society and the country," Prince said.

"With firm steps, fair law enforcement, and synergy between the Police and the TNI, we hope that security and peace in Papua can be realized soon," he concluded.