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Papua on 'full alert' ahead of presidential election
With just three days left before the presidential election, the Regional Military Command (Kodam) XVII/Cendrawasih in Papua has raised the provinceâs security level to âSiaga Satuâ (full alert) as an armed civilian group has urged a boycott of the upcoming election
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ith just three days left before the presidential election, the Regional Military Command (Kodam) XVII/Cendrawasih in Papua has raised the province's security level to 'Siaga Satu' (full alert) as an armed civilian group has urged a boycott of the upcoming election.
The election boycott threats have been spreading via short message service, leaflets distributed on streets and a video recording from an armed civilian group led by Erimbo Enden Wanimbo, who claimed to be the commander of the Free Papua Movement's (OPM) Seventh Division in the La Pago area. He threatened to attack vital infrastructure and security officers, especially those in the province's central territory, known locally as 'Pegunungan Tengah'.
'Today, the Kodam XVII/Cendrawasih is declaring 'full alert' for Papua, which takes effect as of today until the July 9 presidential election and days afterwards. The 'full alert' status will take effect without time limit, as it depends on developments in the situation,' Kodam XVII/Cendrawasih chief Maj. Gen. Christian Zebua said in Jayapura on Sunday.
He was speaking after a video conference with Army Chief of Staff Gen. Budiman on the province's readiness ahead of the election.
Christian said the military command did not want to see any more violence and bloodshed occurring in Papua, therefore, it urged all parties in the region to refrain from carrying out violent acts or attacking security posts.
'Actually, I'd be really sad if there was an OPM member killed in an armed incident; but, if they dare to take up arms against us, I won't hesitate to eradicate them. I'm not kidding so they should not commit any violent acts,' said Christian.
Six regions considered tense ahead of the presidential election are Jayapura, Keerom, Lanny Jaya, Puncak Jaya and Yapen regencies and the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border areas in Skouw Wutung.
'For those areas, we have deployed military personnel to help the police provide security,' said Christian.
As many as 2,300 personnel have been readied to work with the police to provide security for the upcoming presidential election.
Papua General Elections Commission (KPUD) chairman Adam Arisoi said Papua was prepared to stage the presidential election, saying that all election materials were ready in distribution points in each regency's capital.
'The Kodam XVII/Cendrawasih is ready to provide assistance and has prepared three helicopters to distribute election materials to polling stations,' he said. (gda/ebf)
