TNI and police discuss approach to Papua problems to avoid overlapping roles

General Andika Perkasa while undergoing test the feasibility and property with house of representatives Commision I at the parlemen kompleks, Senayan, Jakarta, Saturday, November 6, 2021 - TEMPO/M Taufan Rengganis

Jakarta, Jubi – Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. Andika Perkasa met National Police chief Gen. Listyo S Prabowo at the Police’s headquarters in South Jakarta on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, to discuss about Papua conflict.

According to Andika, the meeting was necessary so that there would be no overlapping of tasks between the TNI and police in Papua.

The TNI commander said that in the near future, he would go to Papua and announce the strategy to deal with Papua conflict.

“Yes, we for sure [discussed about the strategy to secure Papua]. Hopefully, I will go to Papua next week and announce [the strategy] there. Papua was the main topic in our meeting just now,” said Andika, as quoted by Antara.

He said the meeting discussed the strategy to stop the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNP) without war, as Andika previously conveyed during his fit and proper test at Commission I of the House of Representatives before being appointed commander.

However, Andika also seemed to bother that some countries in the Western Pacific “occasionally question Papua’s sovereignty even though the United Nations has determined that Papua is legitimate a part of Indonesia,” he said.

Meanwhile, National Police chief Gen. Listyo said a paradigm shift was required in handling armed conflicts, such as in Papua, Poso, and other places.

“It depends on how we change the paradigm at handling armed conflicts such as in Papua, Poso, and others,” said Listyo. He added that both the police and the TNI must continue to strengthen cooperation in carrying out their duties to maintain security and order in the community. (*)

Editor : Edi Faisol

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