Feeling Unsafe, Several NTT Residents in Papua Request Repatriation

Kupang (ANTARA) - The East Nusa Em Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Provincial Government is collecting data on several NTT residents in Papua who have requested facilitation to return to their home region because they no longer feel safe following security disturbances in various areas.

NTT Deputy Governor Johni Asadoma stated in Kupang on Friday that several residents have expressed requests to return to NTT, some of whom are civil servants (PNS).

“There are several. They are requesting this because they no longer feel safe there, in Papua. We are currently documenting them,” he said.

Johni noted that it is natural for residents who feel unsafe to wish to move to a more secure location.

“I believe it is normal; wherever we are, if we feel unsafe, we will seek a safer place,” he remarked.

Nevertheless, he expressed hope that the security situation in the region would soon return to a conducive state so that the community can carry out their activities safely.

To ensure the well-being of NTT residents in Papua, Johni said he has met with the Chairman of the Flobamora Community in Papua to discuss the security situation following the shooting incident in Jayawijaya.

According to the information he received, the security situation in Papua is generally conducive, while security disturbances are occurring only in certain specific areas.

“According to him, the security situation in the region is generally conducive, but only in certain areas,” said Johni.

One area of concern is Jayawijaya Regency, Highland Papua, which was the site of a shooting targeting three civil servants (ASN) from the Jayawijaya Regency Agriculture Office on Wednesday (9/9).

Three civil servants lost their lives in the incident. Two of the victims were from NTT, namely Wili Mbuik from Rote Ndao and Alfonsius Albinus Mehan from Sikka Regency, while the other victim was from Toraja, South Sulawesi.

Previously, the family of Wili Mbuik also requested that the government provide security guarantees for NTT residents still residing in Jayawijaya. The family noted that there are still several residents from Rote Ndao in that area.

Johni stated that the NTT Provincial Government will coordinate with the Highland Papua Provincial Government if the relocation of residents from high-risk areas to safer locations becomes necessary.

“If that is indeed required, we will coordinate it with the Highland Papua Provincial Government,” he said.