YAHUKIMO – The solidarity of Dekai District residents became the last stronghold to save two ambulance units of Puskesmas Aplim that were almost burned by an unknown person on Seradala Street KM 04, Saturday (2/14/2026) night. In the midst of threats and tension, people choose to survive in order to maintain the only access to health services in the region.
The incident started around 21.05 WIT when two unknown men came to the residential area of the Aplim Health Center. Both of them brought diesel fuel stored in a 1,600 ml bottle of mineral water and threatened to burn the public health center building and the ambulance parked in the yard.
According to the witness, Luter Matuan (40), the Head of Kurima Village, the perpetrators had poured diesel around the rear tires of two ambulances—each a white Mitsubishi Triton and a white Suzuki APV Arena with police number PA 6434 Y.
“If the public health center is burned, we will no longer have a place for treatment,” said Luter, describing the panic and determination of the residents that night.
Realizing the magnitude of the impact if the action really happened, the residents immediately gathered and negotiated so that the burning would be canceled. In order to ease the situation, the witness admitted to giving money of Rp500,000 to the perpetrator at the entrance of the public health center. After receiving the money, the two canceled their intention and fled towards Jalan Seradala.
The next day, around 09.25 WIT, officers from Satreskrim Polres Yahukimo supported by Cartenz 2026 Peace Operation personnel moved to the location. Led by IPTU Muhammad Mirwan, the team immediately processed the crime scene (TKP), secured evidence, and examined witnesses.
At the location, officers found a bottle of mineral water containing remaining diesel and several strands of dry grass that were suspected to have been poured with fuel. Although no footprints were found, traces of diesel water around the vehicle tire reinforced the suspicion of the burning experiment.
To ensure safety, the two ambulances were then escorted to the Dekai Hospital so that health services would continue to run without interruption.
Head of Cartenz Peace Operation 2026, Brigadier General of Police. Faizal Ramadhani, emphasized that threats to public facilities cannot be tolerated.
“Health facilities are a basic need of society. Every form of intimidation against public services will be acted upon strictly according to the applicable law,” he said.
In line with that, Deputy Head of Cartenz 2026 Peace Operations, Kombes Pol. Adarma Sinaga, said that the quick response of the apparatus is an important factor in preventing the situation from developing further.
“As soon as the report was received, the personnel immediately moved to secure the location and ensure that the ambulance was not vandalized. This is part of the effort to maintain the safety of the community,” he said.
Until now, the investigation is still ongoing to reveal the identity and motive of the perpetrator. The police also encouraged witnesses to make an official report to strengthen the legal process.
This incident shows how vital health facilities are in inland areas such as Dekai. For residents, ambulances are not just vehicles, but life expectancy links. The solidarity of the community that stands to protect the facility is proof that in the midst of threats, care and courage are still burning.
