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Security condition conducive: Military chief
The security condition in Papua is conducive and so far has shown no sign of disturbance to the unitary state of Indonesia, Papua Military chief Maj
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T
he security condition in Papua is conducive and so far has shown no sign of disturbance to the unitary state of Indonesia, Papua Military chief Maj. Gen. Hotma Marbun says.
Speaking at the Infantry Brigade Unit, Marbun said that the 10,000-strong military unit, comprising personnel from the armed forces, the navy and the air force , was sufficient to maintain security in Papua and West Papua provinces.
“In doing our job, we always work hand in hand with the civil society in Papua,” he said after installing the new commander for the infantry brigade Monday.
He said armed groups of civilians in Puncak Jaya disturbing the police had been the responsibility of the Indonesian Police and added that the police had been searching for the perpetrators.
He said four units of guns were feared to have been robbed, following the death of Free Papua Movement (OPM) rebel leader Kelly Kwalik in December last year.
“It’s now the responsibility of the police apparatus to arrest the armed civilians in Mimika regency,” he said.
He also said that the police had now taken over the responsibility of security in the working areas of PT Freeport Indonesia with the military providing backup.
“The military is ready to be assigned anywhere in the unitary state of Indonesian territory,” he said.
Marbun also asserted that the placement of the TNI (Indonesian Military) in Papua and any other regions in the country should not be taken into political polemics.
Lt. Col. Inf. Herman Asaribab was inaugurated as the commander of the Infantry Brigade 20 Imo Jaya Keramo replacing Col. Agus Subiyakto.
“I asked the new commander of the brigade, the best son of Papua, to continue the tasks performed by the outgoing official and make changes according to the command from the superior,” Marbun said.
He also said that it was the responsibility of the TNI to guard areas bordering Papua New Guinea. “So far, there has been no security disturbance in Indonesia-PNG border areas,” he said.
