Jayapura – The Chairman of the Indigenous Peoples Institution (LMA) of Mamberamo Raya Regency, Terry Levin Bisararisi, expressed appreciation to the Indonesian National Police (Polri), particularly the Papua Regional Police (Polda Papua), for recruiting 2,000 new Non-Commissioned Officers (Bintara) in Papua Province.
“I extend my highest appreciation to the national leadership, especially Mr. Listiyo Sigit Prabowo, the Chief of the Indonesian National Police, and Mr. Mathius D Fakhri, the Papua Regional Police Chief, for their special policy in recruiting 2,000 new Polri members in Papua who are indigenous Papuans,” he said in Jayapura City on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
He stated that recruiting a large number of new Polri Non-Commissioned Officers while prioritizing indigenous Papuan youth is a significant form of recognition and appreciation from the current government to the people of the Land of Papua.
“This is extraordinary, as it not only shows humanitarian concern but also aims to nurture talents and abilities to represent the police force on this land, thereby ensuring that our exceptional policy is well-received by us, the tribal leaders, Ondoafi, and traditional authority figures in their respective customary areas. We welcome this policy joyfully because it demonstrates serious attention to our children in Polri’s service sector,” he said.
“We hope that our children can fulfill their duties, serve with love and compassion for others, and avoid various forms of violence or cruel service, preventing our country from becoming a target of abuse by irresponsible parties,” he added.
Therefore, Terry, who is also the Chairman of the Founding Fighters of Mamberamo Raya Regency, suggested involving academics in the recruitment and training process to provide anthropology lessons to indigenous Papuan youth, enabling them to understand their fellow Papuans’ culture better.
“One crucial point we, the traditional leaders, want to convey to Polri’s leadership and especially to the Papua Regional Police Chief, is to involve academics from Cenderawasih University, particularly those from the Cultural Anthropology department, in developing the curriculum so that Papuan children can understand their cultural heritage when they are deployed. This is our hope for them to stay connected and recognize their identity as children of this nation, thereby avoiding abuse. This is what I want to convey to Polri’s leadership,” he emphasized.
He also expressed appreciation for the Papuan People’s Council (MRP), which continuously strives to protect the rights of indigenous communities. “We, as traditional leaders, express our gratitude to MRP for sincerely advocating for every indigenous Papuan child to become a leader in their own land, so that in the future, collaboration in the service sector can be managed by regional heads in a way that these police officers’ involvement can bring peace to this land,” he said.
“This is our hope as traditional leaders in Papua. Thank you, good afternoon, Ramadan greetings to my Muslim brothers, and happy celebrations as we anticipate the Ascension of Jesus Christ to Heaven. May Jesus Christ bless us, shalom, good afternoon,” he concluded.
