House Commission I Calls for Strengthened Security in Papua After US Pilot Shot Dead in Yahukimo

Deputy Chairman of House Commission I Dave Laksono has called on security forces to strengthen security in a measured manner following an attack by an Armed Criminal Group (KKB) that killed American pilot Nicholas F. Goselin and set fire to a plane belonging to PT Associated Mission Aviation (AMA) in Yahukimo, Papua Pegunungan. “House Commission I expresses deep concern over the incident of the KKB burning the plane in Papua, which threatens the safety of civilians, including those carrying out religious and humanitarian missions,” Dave said in a statement on Saturday (3/7). According to Dave, the incident in Yahukimo shows that the security threat in Papua remains real and has not been fully addressed. He urged the state not only to respond sporadically to incidents but also to make the protection of civilians a top priority in every security policy. “However, the state’s response in the Papua case must not stray from the legal corridor and a humanist approach,” he said. He also emphasised that strengthening security is not enough by merely adding personnel on the ground, but must be accompanied by a thorough evaluation of the security patterns applied so far. “The safety of civilians must be the top priority. Security needs to be enhanced in a measured way, but must still prioritise a humanist approach and remain within the legal corridor,” Dave said. Furthermore, he assessed that security measures in Papua need to be accompanied by inter-agency coordination, comprehensive risk mapping, and the involvement of local governments and community leaders. According to him, cross-sector collaboration is key to preventing recurring violence while creating security stability that is not merely reactive after an incident occurs. “Through the right steps, Papua can become a peaceful, safe, and prosperous living space for all Indonesian people,” he said. Dave also affirmed that House Commission I will continue to oversee security policies in Papua to ensure they favour the protection of civilians and respect for human rights. “We believe that through synergy between the TNI, Polri, local governments, and the community, a sense of security can be restored while strengthening public trust in the state,” he said. Previously, Yahukimo Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Zet Salino stated that the PT AMA plane was burned by the KKB in Balinggama Village, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, on Thursday (2/7). The plane, piloted by Nicholas F. Goselin, was flying from Wamena to Balinggama carrying seven passengers. The incident killed the pilot, while the seven passengers survived.