MPR Chairman Bamsoet Supports Government Steps To Take Firm And Measurable Action Against Papuan KKB Separatist Movement

Chairman of the MPR RI Bambang Soesatyo. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly Bambang Soesatyo supports the government's steps, the TNI and Polri add troops to take measured decisive action against the separatist movement of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Papua.

He considered that measured decisive action needed to be taken because KKB separatists often used violence and lethal weapons through acts of vandalism to murder.

"The victims fell not only from local residents and migrants, but also from the TNI and Polri officers," said Bambang Soesatyo or Bamsoet in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Saturday, April 29.

Bamsoet also supports the government's decision to categorize the KKB in Papua as well as all organizations and people who are members of it and those who support the movement as terrorists.

According to him, the government's attitude is in accordance with the provisions of Law (UU) Number 5 of 2018 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Terrorism.

He also assessed that the government must continue to build dialogue with local governments as well as traditional leaders, ethnic groups, religions, youth, and various other Papuan people.

"Dialogue with the regional government and various figures by prioritizing the greatness of the hearts of each party, is expected to produce comprehensive solutions to the future of a safe and peaceful land of Papua," he said.

Bamsoet explained that the TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono had raised the status of Combat Alert in Nduga Regency, after the attack by the Terrorist Separatist Group (KST) on TNI soldiers involved in the operation to save Susi Air's pilots, which resulted in the death of five TNI soldiers.

According to him, the Papuan people do not need to worry about the status of the Combat Alert, because the TNI carries it out firmly, measurably and under control, so that no more casualties fall.

He also reminded that towards mid-2023, various acts of violence continued to occur in Papua, for example, in early February there were riots in Wamena which were motivated by allegations of child kidnapping.

The incident left 12 people dead and 18 personnel from the TNI-Polri and 32 civilians injured. Not only that, Susi Air pilot Captain Philips Mark Marthen, since February 7, 2023 until now is still being held hostage by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya, "he said.

He assessed that in addition to deploying troops to narrow the KKB separatist movement, it is necessary to have a dialogue with the people in the area.

According to Bamsoet, this dialogue step will strengthen the welfare approach taken by President Joko Widodo during his 10 years of leading Indonesia in advancing the development and welfare of the Papuan people.

"Development is not only building road infrastructure, schools, health centers, and other buildings, but also building a Papuan human soul, namely building based on the values of the Papuan people," he said.

He emphasized that by 78 years of age, Indonesia's independence, a safe and peaceful face of Papua must be realized immediately, not merely a jargon or wishful thinking.

Bamsoet assessed that the Papuan people must feel blessings for the various natural resources they have so that they can live in peace and full of prosperity in their own land, no longer having to deal with KKB or various other forms of violence.