DPR Member Condemns Armed Criminal Group Attack on Civil Aviation in Papua

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Amelia Anggraini, has strongly condemned an attack on civil aviation following an incident where an armed criminal group (KKB) set fire to an aircraft belonging to PT AMA in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands. She stated the case demonstrates that the security threat in Papua Highlands no longer targets only security personnel but has also disrupted the logistics and air transport routes that are the lifeline for the community. “Based on initial reports, the incident location can only be accessed by air, so this incident has strategic implications for national security and public services,” Amelia said in Jakarta on Friday. She noted that an attack on an aircraft serving the public and humanitarian missions constitutes a threat to civilian safety and potentially violates the principles of international humanitarian law if the target is a civilian object. She therefore urged the government to strengthen the synergy between the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), intelligence agencies, and local governments regarding the security situation. According to her, the security approach needs to be integrated with social, development, and community protection approaches to increasingly limit the operational space of armed groups. As air transport is the most vital mode of transport in the mountainous regions of Papua, she encouraged that current TNI operations should be directed to prioritise the rescue and evacuation of victims and securing the incident location together with the Polri. Furthermore, the TNI needs to strengthen intelligence information control before every flight to vulnerable areas so that the potential for ambushes can be detected earlier. She also requested that the TNI guarantee the continuity of pioneer flights, because if flights cease, communities in the interior will face difficulties obtaining food supplies, health services, education, and other basic necessities. “Air security in Papua is not just a defence issue, but also a matter of national resilience. When pioneer aircraft are no longer safe to operate, those affected are not only state officials but thousands of citizens who depend entirely on air transport,” she said.