Jurnalis Agung
PAPUA - The Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) play a pivotal role in supporting the acceleration of welfare development in Papua, following the Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2020. This legal mandate directs the TNI to focus on three core responsibilities: ensuring security, assisting regional governments in providing essential services, and fostering inclusive social communication with all stakeholders in the region.
To achieve this, the TNI has deployed specialized Military Task Forces to Papua, with the primary goal of establishing a stable and secure environment. Security is crucial for enabling stakeholders and local communities to contribute effectively to the region’s development. However, this mission faces significant challenges due to persistent disturbances from the Free Papua Movement (OPM), which disrupts peace and hampers progress.
The OPM has committed numerous acts of violence, including intimidation, assaults on unarmed civilians, and even murder. One such heinous act was the killing of Glen Malcolm Conning, a New Zealand pilot working for PT Intan Angkasa Air Service, on Monday (5/8/2024). In response, the TNI successfully secured the Alama area, evacuating the bodies of victims, including health workers, teachers, and infants, in a purely humanitarian effort. This operation highlighted the TNI’s commitment to safeguarding lives and fostering peace.
Similarly, the TNI played a crucial role in rescuing Susi Air Pilot Captain Phillip Mark Mehrtens from OPM captivity on Saturday (21/9/2024). This successful operation underscores the TNI’s dedication to humanitarian action, working alongside all stakeholders to restore safety and harmony in Papua.
“The TNI and Polri continue to carry out their duties in Papua to ensure the region remains safe, conducive, and free from OPM-related security threats. These efforts align with the Indonesian Government’s program to accelerate welfare development in Papua, ” stated Colonel Yogi Nugroho, Commander of the HABEMA Media Task Forces, in a press release.
Through its ongoing efforts, the TNI demonstrates its unwavering commitment to peace and prosperity in Papua, ensuring that every individual can live securely and participate in the region’s development. The mission goes beyond security—it is about fostering hope, stability, and a brighter future for the Papuan people.
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Commander of HABEMA Media Task Forces, Colonel Yogi Nugroho
