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Military experts sound concerns on new battalions in Papua provinces
Experts doubt the formation of five new infantry battalions in three Papua provinces will help reduce tension there despite the military saying the new units will focus on helping locals in agricultural activities.
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The Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. Agus Subiyanto (third left) officiates five new infantry battalions supporting vulnerable regions (PDR) at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta on Oct. 2, 2024. The PDR infantry battalions will help locals in three Papua provinces in agriculture in addition to safeguarding the regions. (kompas.com/Nicholas Ryan Aditya)
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efense and security experts say that the establishment of five new infantry battalions in three Papua provinces will not solve the security problems in the region if the government still focuses on a security approach.
Al Araf, a military expert and lecturer at Brawijaya University’s Law Faculty, said the new battalions’ formation reflected the government’s view that Papua remained a conflict-prone region.
"The [government's] approach continues to prioritize increasing security," he told tempo.co on Wednesday.
He noted that the increase in the military presence aligns with the 2010-2029 defense posture policy, which aims to bolster national defense by adding troops and battalions. Al Araf warned, however, that the formation of the new battalions could lead to violence and human rights violations in Papua.
"There is concern that this development won't resolve the issues, but could instead exacerbate conflict in Papua," Al Araf said.
Separately, military observer from the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISESS), Khairul Fahmi said the hundreds of soldiers in each battalion had combat capabilities and could function as a military reserve force if the situation worsened. This, however, could create a bigger risk if the military approach was more dominant.
“In the context of Papua, a more domineering military presence could worsen the existing tension,” he told tempo.co.
