Remembering The George Floyd Case In The US, Papuan Legislators Are Angry: The Violence Of 2 POM Air Force Personnel Is Racist

Member of Commission I of the DPR Yan Permenas Mandenas/ Facebook

JAKARTA - Criticism of violence in Papua is back on track after the circulation of a video with a duration of about 1 minute 20 seconds on Tuesday, July 27. The video shows the process of securing Papuan youth by two personnel of the Air Force Military Police (POM AU), because it was reported that the young man was drunk and blackmailed a porridge maker. The video was criticized by many parties because of the repressive actions carried out by the two POM AU personnel. Responding to this, Member of the House of Representatives Commission I Yan Permenas Mandenas, said that this incident reminded him of the George Floyd case in the United States. We still remember the cases of racism in Malang and Surabaya that led to the criminalization of Papuan students, simultaneous demonstrations in Papua, to the state cutting off internet signals. Now, the memory of that has come back clearly," said Yan Mandenas, Thursday, July 29. This Papuan electoral district legislator saw that the incident was not only an act of violence, but also a symbol of humiliation, racism, and discrimination. the good name of the TNI institution and the face of the state in front of the Papuan people. Yan stated, the repetition of similar incidents involving the apparatus indicated that there was perpetuation of racism from a structural and cultural perspective by elements in state institutions. "On what basis do they act like that? Of course, it is because they feel they have the right to do so," he said angrily. According to Yan Mandenas, the two officers did this because they had racist thoughts. Where they feel superior so they have the right to "oppress", because other people with certain identities are considered inferior so that they are considered worthy of being "oppressed". , let alone being tortured and treated in such a cruel way, without any legal process," he said. The Gerindra politician reminded that the apparatus already has SOPs on how to behave and act when faced with violations by the community. Of course, rich Yan, not with brutal actions like the two POM AU personnel did. "With this incident, the state apparatus finally seems to only reinforce their antagonistic attitude towards indigenous Papuans. On the other hand, Yan Mandenas appreciated the TNI AU officials who immediately responded with regret and apology for the incident. Until he removed the Commander of the Air Base (Danlanud) Johanes Abraham Dimara in Merauke, Colonel Pnb Herdy Arief Budiyanto and the Commander of the Military Police Unit (Dansatpom) at the local Airbase. Yan encouraged the TNI internal reform regarding the perspective on acts of racism, as well as developing an open mindset towards each individual. "Furthermore, the legal process must continue. Justice needs to be upheld by taking firm action against the perpetrators. This is for humanitarian justice and as an effort to prevent similar things from happening," said Yan Mandenas.