The Executive Director of Merah Pusaka Stratejik Indonesia (MPSI),\nNoor Azhari, believes that efforts to achieve peace in Papua require an\napproach that integrates security and development aspects. According to\nNoor, these two aspects should not be treated as separate agendas.\nSecurity is necessary to protect the community and ensure the rule of\nlaw, while development serves as a vital instrument to provide public\nservices, improve welfare, and build public trust in the state.<\/p>\n
This was stated by Noor during a public discussion titled \u201cWhy Does\nthe Papua Conflict Escalation Always Heat Up?\u201d, organised by the Merah\nPusaka Stratejik Indonesia Foundation (MPSI) in East Jakarta on Friday\n(2\/10\/2026). \u201cPeace in Papua is only possible if security, public\nservices, social justice, and respect for local communities proceed\ntogether,\u201d Noor said in his statement.<\/p>\n
Noor noted that the issues in Papua cannot be viewed merely as\nsecurity disturbances. The ongoing conflict is also related to the\nprotection of civilians, the continuity of basic services, public trust,\nand the future of development in the Papua region. Based on MPSI\u2019s 2026\nresearch, more than 240 incidents of violence were recorded between 2019\nand September 2026 across various areas in Papua. MPSI identified\nseveral patterns of violence, including intimidation, displacement,\nphysical violence, disruptions to basic services, and\ndisinformation.<\/p>\n
The impact, according to Noor, is not limited to casualties and\ninjuries. Violence also disrupts schools, health facilities, economic\nactivities, logistics distribution, and the social life of the\ncommunity. \u201cArmed violence does not only result in casualties, but also\nsevers schools, healthcare, markets, logistics, and social relations,\u201d\nhe added.<\/p>\n
Noor Azhari assessed that the success of building peace in Papua\ncannot be measured solely by a reduction in armed clashes. According to\nhim, other indicators include the extent to which the community feels\nsafe again, the functioning of basic services, and the growth of trust\nin the state. \u201cThe measure of success is not just the decrease in armed\ncontact, but the recovery of a sense of security, basic services, and\ncitizen trust.\u201d<\/p>\n
Noor believes the state still plays a crucial role in ensuring\nsecurity and law enforcement. However, the security approach must work\nalongside the protection of civilians, accountability, and sensitivity\nto the social and cultural conditions of local communities. On the other\nhand, development must continue to ensure that the community receives\ntangible benefits from the state\u2019s presence.<\/p>\n
Education, health, connectivity, food, clean water, and the\nstrengthening of the local economy, according to Noor, are essential\nparts of the effort to build human security while strengthening the\nfoundation of peace. \u201cDevelopment cannot proceed amidst fear; security\nwill not be sustainable without public services that are felt by the\ncitizens,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Noor also emphasised the importance of involving local actors in\nbuilding peace in Papua. Traditional leaders, churches, village heads,\nwomen, youth, local governments, educators, healthcare workers,\nacademics, and civil society are considered to have strategic roles in\ndetecting potential conflicts and strengthening trust at the community\nlevel.<\/p>\n
Noor urged that the handling of the Papua conflict gradually shift\nfrom a responsive pattern towards preventive protection. These steps\ninclude mapping vulnerable areas, early detection, integrated responses,\nrecovery for affected communities, and sustainable trust-building. Noor\nstated that such an approach requires cross-sector coordination between\ncentral and regional governments, security forces, indigenous\ncommunities, religious leaders, academics, and civil society.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe resolution of the Papua conflict cannot be sectoral. It must\nbecome an ecosystem that is safe, just, trusted, and provides benefits\nto the citizens,\u201d he asserted. He emphasised that Papua should not\nmerely be viewed as a conflict zone. Papua is a living space for its\npeople, a customary space, a space for development, and an important\npart of Indonesia\u2019s future. \u201cBuilding peace in Papua means ensuring that\ncivilians are no longer victims, but rather the centre of security,\ndevelopment, and reconciliation,\u201d concluded Noor.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/security-and-development-must-go-hand-in-hand-to-achieve-peace-in-papua-1790945703", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }