Papua – Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Hadi Tjahjanto responded to the incident of abuse of Papuans by members of the TNI in Papua.
The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs revealed that after hearing the news, his party immediately summoned the TNI Commander General TNI Agus Subiyanto to immediately investigate the abuse case.
“I have summoned the TNI Commander for an investigation. Then, if it is proven, legal action will be taken immediately, in accordance with the action taken by the soldier, such as the image (video) that is currently circulating,” said Hadi at the Office of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Central Jakarta, Monday. (25/3/2024).
Hadi confirmed that the TNI Commander and also the Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) were proactive in thoroughly investigating cases of abuse of Papuans by TNI elements.
“That has been done, we’ll just have to wait for the results. The TNI Commander and Army Chief of Staff have been proactive in taking action against soldiers who are guilty while carrying out their duties,” concluded Hadi.
On the other hand, Pangdam XVII/Cendrawasih, Major General TNI Izak Pangemanan apologized for the violent action against one of the Papuans identified as Definus Kogoya’s Armed Criminal Group (KKB) whose video went viral on social media.
He conveyed this during a press conference held at the Sub Denma TNI Headquarters, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, on Monday (25/3/2024).
Head of the TNI Information Center (Kapuspen) Maj. Gen. Nugraha Gumilar and Head of the Army Information Service (Kadispenad) Brigadier General Kristomei Sianturi also accompanied and provided information to the media crew.
Izak explained that the soldier was a member of Yonif Raider 300/Brajawijaya who had served in the Border Security Task Force (Satgas Pamtas) in Papua since April 3 2023.
The alleged abuse occurred when TNI soldiers arrested a KKB member in Papua named Definus Kogoya at Pos Gome, Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province on February 3 2024.
“Yesterday, a video went viral about acts of violence committed by TNI soldiers. We really regret that this happened. This should not happen in our efforts to resolve the Papuan problem with the right approach,” said Izak.
