Military Police Commander: TNI-Police Clash in South Papua Triggered by Miscommunication

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia – Military Police Commander Maj. Gen. Yusri Nuryanto said the clash between military and police personnel near Marseling Area 2 of Infantry Battalion 819/PIBP, Obaa District, Mappi Regency, South Papua, was triggered by miscommunication.

“Initially it was nothing serious — it was caused by miscommunication. It’s normal. Today’s soldiers are young. Sometimes they have too much energy, so a bit of miscommunication happens and things escalate,” Yusri said at Military Headquarters in East Jakarta on Friday (2/13).

However, he assured that the issue has been resolved and mediation between the military and police has been conducted.

“It has been resolved and mediated between the military and police,” he said.

XXIV/Mandala Trikora Military Command Spokesperson Lt. Col. Iwan Dwi Prihartono previously explained that the incident began with a motorcyclist who repeatedly revved their engine and made inappropriate remarks around the battalion’s guard area from February 6 through 11.

Then in the early hours of Thursday, on-duty personnel stopped and detained one individual for questioning. “From the initial examination, it was discovered that the individual was a member of the Mappi Police Water and Air Police Unit who was under the influence of alcohol at the time,” Tri said in a written statement on Friday (2/13).

Later that morning, the leadership of Infantry Battalion 819/PIBP and the Mappi Police held a meeting and agreed to resolve the matter amicably. However, at around 9:15 a.m. local time, a group of people came to the unit’s area and threw stones.

“Personnel on the ground carried out security measures in accordance with procedures. Thanks to swift coordination between both institutions, the situation was brought under control and declared safe without further escalation,” he said.