Jakarta, Jubi – Indonesian Armed Forces chief General Moeldoko said he was considering enlisting soldiers to accompany foreign journalists while they are covering Papua to protect them form harm.
“I consider that the foreign journalists might need guards,” Moeldoko told reporters after a \hearing with the Commission I of the House of Representatives in Jakarta on Monday (22/6/2015).
The hearing, also attended by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and State Intelligent Agency Chief Marciano Norman, was to discuss a proposal to grant amnesty to political prisoners in Papua.
Moeldoko said he wanted to ensure that journalists are safe in Papua, adding that he supported President Joko Widodo’s decision to open Papua to the foreign media.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian legislator Tantowi Yahya earlier when opened the Hearing said this meeting is to follow up the President Widodo’s letter dated 7 May 2015 related to amnesty and abolition granting to the political prisoners in Papua.
He said in the meeting held by the House of Representative Consultative Body on 9 May, it was decided to hand over the Papuan political prisoners issue to the Commission III of the House of Representative.
“The consultative Meeting decided to hand over the comprehensive review toward amnesty and abolition granting to the Commission III and the Chairman of the House of Representatives,” he said.
Tantowi Yahya explained that the Hearing between the Commission I and the State Intelligent Agency Chief, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Military Commander was to consult about that decision. (*)
