Jayapura, Jubi – A member of the Central Papua Provincial Legislative Council (DPR Papua Tengah), Thobias Bagubau, has called on President Prabowo Subianto to order the withdrawal of Indonesian security forces from Intan Jaya Regency following a recent surge in violence.
Bagubau said his appeal was prompted by a series of violent incidents that have occurred in Intan Jaya in recent weeks.
Representing Intan Jaya in the provincial legislature, he urged President Prabowo to review the military deployment in the regency and immediately pull troops out of the area.
“The security situation in Intan Jaya has deteriorated sharply over the past two months. The violence that occurred during May through July has become increasingly difficult to control,” Bagubau told Jubi in a written statement on Monday (July 6).
He also argued that conditions across Papua had not improved during President Prabowo’s administration.
“The situation in Papua is deeply concerning and has remained out of control throughout the past year and a half of his leadership,” he said.
Bagubau said that, as commander-in-chief, President Prabowo, together with the Minister of Defence, the commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and the National Police chief, should immediately review the military presence across Papua, particularly in Intan Jaya.
According to him, security personnel deployed in the mountainous regions of Central Papua and Papua Highlands have endangered civilians during military operations.
“They have carried out actions that place ordinary civilians at serious risk, including local residents and church workers,” he said.
The Hanura Party politician alleged that security forces had failed to distinguish between combatants and civilians during operations.
“They are not focusing on their primary adversary, the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPN-OPM). Instead, it is ordinary people who are becoming the victims,” Bagubau said.
He warned that if the central government failed to act, international involvement should be considered. Among his proposals was allowing foreign journalists and international media organisations to report from Papua.
“We propose that foreign journalists and international media be allowed into Papua to report on what is happening here, including the actions of the Indonesian military,” he said.
Bagubau also said United Nations agencies should be invited to monitor the situation if the government fails to resolve the conflict.
He further urged political leaders across Papua—including the governors’ association, the regents’ association, and the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP)—to adopt a united position on the ongoing violence and present their recommendations to the central government.
“The situation in Papua must not be ignored because it concerns humanity and the protection of human life,” he said.
Bagubau also stressed the need for a meeting involving the TNI commander, police chiefs from across Papua, and regional stakeholders to discuss the worsening security situation.
He specifically highlighted the reported shooting of a woman who was seven months pregnant in Sugapa, Intan Jaya, an incident in which the Indonesian military has been accused by local sources.
“A pregnant woman and her seven-month-old unborn child were allegedly shot by TNI personnel. This constitutes a human rights violation. They are protected under Indonesian law as well as international law. Such actions are inhumane and violate both the Constitution and fundamental human rights,” Bagubau said.
He called for an independent investigation into the incident and urged that those found responsible receive severe legal penalties as a deterrent.
Bagubau added that the investigation should involve churches and independent networks to ensure the case is fully and impartially examined. (*)