KKB Becomes A Terrorist Organization, Polri Discusses The Engagement Of Densus 88

Documentation - Assistant Chief of Police Inspector General of Police Imam Sugianto (left) and Head of Traffic Police of Police Inspector General of Police Istiono (second left) monitor the arrival of phase II of the synovac vaccine at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten / Antara

JAKARTA - The Indonesian National Police (Polri) is discussing the involvement of the Densus 88 Anti-terror Team in maintaining security in Papua, following the government's decision to categorize the armed criminal group (KKB) as a terrorist organization.

"We are discussing this, I am also in a meeting at the KSP while waiting for the direction of the Chief of Police, especially the involvement of Densus 88," said Assistant Chief of Police for Operations (Asops) Inspector General Imam Sugianto in his statement in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Thursday, April 29.

Imam said that after the determination of the KKB as a terrorist organization by the Coordinating Minister for Law and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam), Densus 88 Anti-terror Polri must assist in security operations in Papua,

"This means that if it has been determined, Densus will have to be involved in helping, at least mapping, all kinds of things," said Imam.

According to Imam, the involvement of the Special Detachment in Papua is the same as the Operation Task Force Mandago Raya in Central Sulawesi.

In Papua, there is the Nemangkawi Task Force Operation, namely a law enforcement operation to protect Papua's security from interference with the KKB.

"So an operations task force was formed, but the Densus also organized an operation that was 'linked up' with our task force," he said.

TNI-Polri members carry out Operation Nemangkawi in order to maintain the security of Papua from disturbing the KKB.

In the last three weeks, the KKB has intensified its acts of violence in the Puncak regency, Papua.

KKB members shot two teachers, namely Oktavianus Rayo (42) and Yonathan Rande (30). Octavian was shot on Thursday, 8 April while Jonathan was on Friday, 9 April. The KKB also burned down the teacher's house and three schools.

Sunday, April 11, KKB burned a helicopter which was under repair at Aminggaru Airport, Ilaga.

Then Wednesday, April 14, KKB shot dead a motorcycle taxi driver in Eromaga Village. The following day Thursday, April 15th shot a student.

The KKB continued to carry out terror, until Sunday (25/4) the Head of the Papua Regional State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Brig. Gen. I Gusti Putu Danny Nugraha was killed in a firefight at Beoga.

The pursuit of the KKB was still being carried out, although on Tuesday (27/4) a member of Brimob Bhrada Komang died, and two others suffered gunshot wounds.

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD said that organizations or KKB that carried out violence in Papua were categorized as terrorists.

Mahfud conveyed the government's stance during an online press conference at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Jakarta, Thursday, regarding the incidents or escalation of violent acts that have occurred in Papua in the last few days.

Armed civilian groups in Papua are categorized as terrorists, said Mahfud, based on the provisions of Law no. 5 of 2018 concerning Amendments to Law Number 15 of 2003 concerning Stipulation of Government Regulations in Lieu of Law Number 1 of 2002 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Terrorism.

The law states that terrorists are people who plan, instigate and organize terrorism.

Meanwhile, terrorism is any act that uses violence or threats of violence which creates an atmosphere of terror or widespread fear that can cause mass casualties and or cause damage or destruction to vital strategic objects, to the environment, public facilities or international facilities with the motive of ideology, politics and security.