JAKARTA - Southwest Papua Governor Elisa Kambu called on all elements of society to actively participate in creating a conducive and peaceful situation in Sorong City.
This appeal follows a mass demonstration against the transfer of four political prisoners (tapol) from Sorong to Makassar that escalated into riots on Wednesday, August 27.
"I urge the community to engage with families and ask their children to stop this brutal action," said Elisa Kambu in Sorong on Thursday, as reported by Antara.
The Governor believes the active involvement of families is necessary to control their children and prevent them from participating in the destruction of government public facilities.
Although the Police and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) have taken preventative measures to calm the security situation in Sorong City, the involvement of community leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders, and other stakeholders is essential in fostering a peaceful and secure atmosphere in Sorong City.
The Governor stated that the anarchic actions carried out by a group of people in Sorong City from the early morning until noon on Wednesday, August 27, seriously disrupted the lives and comfort of many people in the area.
"This is seriously disrupting economic activity and other social activities, children going to school, and health workers providing services are being hampered," he explained.
The former two-term Regent of Asmat assessed that the brutal actions carried out by supporters of four political prisoners, which resulted in the destruction of public facilities, including the residence of the Governor of Southwest Papua, were purely criminal.
"First, we are concerned, because something beyond our expectations could happen in Sorong City," he said.
Not only did they block officers from transporting the four political prisoners from the Sorong District Attorney's Office to Domine Eduard Osok Airport for a flight to Makassar, but the supporters also vandalized various public facilities, including the Sorong Mayor's Office, the Governor's Office, and the Governor's residence.
Governor Kambu admitted he was shocked because the perpetrators of the anarchic acts also attacked his residence, damaging the windows of his house and a parked official car.
"I was shocked. I didn't know what the information was. Luckily, I was ready and about to go to the office. That's when the incident happened," he said.
The Governor also appealed to the public not to be provoked or provoked by various misleading issues. Instead, he urged the public to trust the security forces in handling this situation.
Despite the riots, government activities at the Southwest Papua Governor's Office and the Sorong Mayor's Office remained normal.
Governor Kambu ensured that the government would continue to operate as usual.
"We will continue working as usual. We must not take the law into our own hands; we must trust the authorities," he said.
The police arrested 10 people suspected of being provocateurs and perpetrators of anarchy in Sorong City on Wednesday, August 27.
This brutal action began at the Sorong District Attorney's Office when they were transferring four political prisoners charged with treason, members of the Federal Republic of West Papua (NFRPB), to Makassar.
The four prisoners are AAG, NM, MS, and PR.
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