Indonesian Army to Evaluate Security Systems Following Jayawijaya Shooting

The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army (KSAD), General Maruli Simanjuntak, has emphasised that his office will evaluate the security systems for civilians in Papua after three civilians were shot dead by an armed criminal group (KKB) in Jayawijaya, Highland Papua, on Wednesday (9/9).

“This is something we continue to evaluate. Our troops have also begun to be deployed to anticipated locations,” Maruli stated when met in Jakarta on Friday.

According to Maruli, all troops have been engaged in securing the area and pursuing members of the KKB to the maximum extent possible. He noted that the group appears to be increasingly unsettled, leading them to target victims indiscriminately.

Maruli also addressed the KKB’s justification for killing the three civilians, which was based on allegations that they were government intelligence agents. He dismissed these claims as baseless and fabricated, asserting that the three victims were government employees simply attempting to work for the development of their region.

“That is how those people are; they are always looking for excuses and issues. Now they are attacking civilians, claiming everyone is intelligence. They repeat the same rhetoric over and over,” said Maruli.

“We have troops from the Kodim, Korem, and Kodam that can be deployed. Hopefully, security can be improved moving forward,” Maruli added.

Previously, three employees of the Jayawijaya Regency Government, Highland Papua, were shot while part of a group delivering aid to the community in the Muliama District. The Commander of Kodim 1702/Jayawijaya, Lieutenant Colonel Inf Ilham Datu Ramang, reported from Jayapura on Wednesday evening (9/9) that the shooting occurred at approximately 3:45 PM WIT. According to reports received, the three victims were employees of the Jayawijaya Regency Agriculture Office and were allegedly shot by the KKB group.