Mahfud MD Ensures The Papua National Sports Week Is Safe: Everything Is Anticipated In Layers

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD and Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian (Photo: Public Relations of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD together with Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian ensured that the XX National Sports Week (PON) and the XVI National Paralympic Week (Peparnas) in Papua will run smoothly. Moreover, the committee is currently making final preparations.

This was conveyed during the final monitoring, at the Lucas Enembe stadium, Jayapura Regency, and at the same time watching the dress rehearsal for the opening of the XX PON, Thursday, September 30.

"I and the Minister of Home Affairs did a final check and saw the final preparations made by the committee. Everything went well," said Mahfud in a written statement received by journalists in Jakarta, Friday, October 1.

He said, based on reports from the Military Area Command (Pangdam) and Regional Police Chief (Kapolda), many sports have started competing since last September 22. Mahfud said all these activities went smoothly considering that layered security had been carried out.

"God willing, from a security point of view, everything has been anticipated in layers but peacefully, it's not scary. It's not that scary, because this is a sports event," said the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK).

Mahfud advised the security forces to work optimally so that the PON can be opened smoothly, safely, and according to health protocols. Moreover, later President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will be present at the event.

As for the community, he asked them to continue to support the activities of the sports party.

"I urge the public to support this event, the Indonesian National Police, the local government so that everything works as well as possible," said Mahfud.

Lastly, he also ensures that the health protocols are implemented properly. "I have received the report, then saw for myself the locations and what has been going on in the last few days. Everything is going well and God willing, it will continue to be good, that is from a security point of view. In terms of the event, it is also very adequate," he said.

For information, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD conducted security monitoring and implementation of health protocols at several XX PON Papua venues. In addition, he and the Minister of Home Affairs Mahfud gave directions to all ranks of the National Armed Force (TNI)-National Police (Polri) apparatus in the XVII Cendrawasih Military Command Regiment which was also attended by the Commander of the Joint Regional Defense Command (Pangkogabwilhan) III.

President Jokowi is scheduled to arrive in Jayapura on Friday afternoon to carry out a series of activities. In addition to officially opening PON and Peparnas in Jayapura, the President is also planning to visit the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Border Post in Sota District, Merauke Regency.