T

he National Police have sent an investigative team to Papua to investigate allegations made by Papua Governor Lukas Enembe that the police were not neutral during recent local elections in the province.

The governor, a Democratic Party politician, made the accusation during a TV interview, saying that the Papua Police had intervened in the Feb. 15 regional elections in 10 regencies and municipalities, causing political and security disturbances.

“The team has arrived in Papua to clarify the governor’s statement that stability in Papua was disturbed after the regional election because of impartiality on the part of the police,” said Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw in Jayapura.

The team, Paulus said, would be in Papua for a week and would visit the regions where the alleged foul play took place. “The team will question local organizers, the local supervisory committee, local leaders and also the governor,” said Paulus.

Papuan Youth Indigenous Group chairman Decky Ovide supported National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian’s decision to send a team to investigate Lukas’ allegations.

“The clarification is necessary to prove or disprove the accusation. The governor should also present evidence for his claims,” said Decky to the media on Monday.

Decky said Lukas’ allegations were not factual and might reflect his position as a leader of a political party.

In his statements, Lukas said Papuans were disturbed by the “deep involvement” of the police in the elections.

“I call on the President and the National Police chief to hear my demand. Do not disturb stability in Papua,” he told MetroTV.

Paulus declined to comment on Lukas’ allegations, saying that he would let the investigative team do its job. However, he said he was sure that his personnel had coordinated with related stakeholders to ensure that the election went peacefully.

He added that the security situation in Papua remained under control following the election.

Military Command (Kodam) XVII/Cendrawasih chief Maj. Gen. Hinsa Siburian echoed Paulus’ sentiments, saying that the situation in Papua remained peaceful.

Hinsa argued that Papuans were now more mature in dealing with politics and refused to get involved in political conflicts.

“Society is already aware of politics. In the democratic process there will be winners and losers. The disaffected party did the right thing challenging the results of the election by taking their complaints to the Constitutional Court,” he said.

Paulus is the first Papuan to hold the position of regional police chief, first at the West Papua Police in December 2014 and later as Papua Police chief in July 2015. He is also the first Papuan to achieve a two-star rank in the National Police.

Paulus affirmed his cordial relations with Lukas and dismissed rumors that he would run for governor in the 2018 Papua election.

“My relationship with him [Lukas] is fine. Maybe there are some people who said something to him,” Paulus said, adding that the rumors of his gubernatorial ambitions only reflected “the will of the people” and did not come from him personally.