The TNI Habema Operations Command (Koops) has denied allegations of\nintimidation by personnel at the Wuloni post against members of the\nSanta Sisilia Wuloni congregation, Santo Petrus Ilaga Parish,\nMoni-Puncak Jaya Deanery, Timika Diocese, Central Papua. Based on an\ninternal investigation, Koops TNI Habema confirmed that there were no\ndirectives or actions by soldiers in the field aimed at pressuring the\nchurch or local congregation to express gratitude to the TNI and the\nGovernment of the Republic of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Head of Public Relations for Koops TNI Habema, Lieutenant Colonel Inf\nM. Wirya Arthadiguna, stressed that the military institution regards the\nchurch and religious leaders as important partners in maintaining peace\nin Papuan society.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe respect the church, religious leaders, and all congregants. The\npresence of the TNI within the community must provide a sense of\nsecurity, not fear. Therefore, we always emphasise to every soldier to\nbuild communication in a humane manner, respecting the community,\ncustoms, and religious life in Papua,\u201d said Wirya in a statement on\nWednesday (12\/8\/2026).<\/p>\n
Wirya explained that the expressions of gratitude conveyed by\nresidents stemmed from the participation of TNI personnel in helping\nrenovate the Santa Sisilia Wuloni Church and repairing primary school\nfacilities in the area. He stressed that the territorial assistance was\npurely a form of concern for public facilities and was never accompanied\nby demands for compensation in the form of political support or public\nstatements from the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us, helping the church and school is part of our service. There\nis no obligation for the community to reciprocate with any statement.\nWhat matters most is that the place of worship can be used properly,\nchildren can learn adequately, and the relationship between the TNI and\nthe community continues to be built on mutual trust and respect,\u201d he\ncontinued.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Wirya affirmed that his office is open to various\naspirations and input from the community as material for continuous\nevaluation so that territorial development duties in the interior of\nPapua become increasingly professional. According to Wirya, sustainable\nsecurity stability does not rest solely on guarding territory, but on\ncreating a sense of safety for residents in worship and daily\nactivities.<\/p>\n
\u201cPublic trust cannot be requested or forced, but must grow from the\nattitude, sincerity, and service that the community itself feels,\u201d\nconcluded Wirya.<\/p>\n
Previously, the Catholic Youth Regional Commissariat (Komda) of\nCentral Papua strongly protested the actions of security forces against\nthe Catholic congregation of Santa Sisilia Wuloni, Santo Petrus Ilaga\nParish, Moni-Puncak Jaya Deanery, Timika Diocese, Central Papua.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the Central Papua Catholic Youth Komda, Tino Mote,\nclaimed to have received information accompanied by a short video on\nSunday (9\/8). Armed security personnel entered the grounds of the\nSisilia Wuloni Church. The officers forced the congregation to express\n\u2018gratitude\u2019 to the Wuloni post personnel for helping the church paint\nthe church building and assisting the station congregation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIntimidating methods like this only add to the fear of the Catholic\ncongregation in the Moni-Puncak Jaya Deanery, Timika Diocese. All this\ntime, residents of Puncak Regency, including the Catholic congregation,\nhave suffered and been traumatised by the unconducive security\nsituation. If the security approach pattern experienced by the Wuloni\nstation congregation continues, then the path to peace as envisioned by\nthe President together with central and regional government officials\nwill be further from expectations,\u201d said Tino.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tni-command-clarifies-allegations-of-intimidation-against-church-congregation-in-puncak-jaya-1786542627", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }