Minister Pigai Urges TNI and Polri to Control Personnel After GKI Pastor Killed

The death of Elianus Egimbau, a 20-year-old pastor of the Evangelical Christian Church (GKI) in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, has drawn serious attention from the government. Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has urged the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) to more closely supervise their personnel while on duty in Papua. Pigai stated that TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto and National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo should ensure their personnel act professionally in carrying out security duties and functions across Papua. According to him, this is necessary so that the TNI and Polri can better guarantee the protection of civilians in Tanah Papua. “The Ministry of Human Rights requests the TNI Commander and the National Police Chief to control their members in the field, with special attention to the incident of the GKI pastor’s death in Intan Jaya,” Pigai said via a press release in Jakarta on Thursday. According to him, the government, through the Ministry of Human Rights, expresses deep concern over the death of Elianus Egimbau in Intan Jaya Regency on Monday. Elianus was known as a religious leader in Central Papua. The pastor was reportedly killed during a firefight between security forces and an armed group from the Free Papua Organisation (OPM). Pigai referred to claims from two parties regarding the firefight that killed Elianus. “The shooting incident of the pastor has come under scrutiny after being claimed by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM). Meanwhile, security forces (TNI-Polri) are still investigating the incident,” Pigai said. However, regardless of which version is true, Pigai asserted that his role as the minister handling human rights issues requires state authorities to ensure total control of their personnel in the field. This step is to ensure the protection of civilians in Papua. “The TNI Commander and the National Police Chief must ensure that all personnel serving in Papua carry out their duties professionally and prioritise the protection of civilians. Regarding the shooting of the pastor in Intan Jaya, we ask the TNI Commander and the National Police Chief to control their members serving in Papua,” Pigai said.