North Maluku Police Chief Guarantees Security and Recovery After Conflict

Ternate (ANTARA) - North Maluku Regional Police Chief Inspector General Waris Agono, while inspecting the site after the conflict between residents of Desa Sibenpopo and Desa Bobane Jaya in Central Halmahera, provided assurances of security and recovery following the conflict. “We from the police also convey on behalf of the North Maluku Provincial Government that several residents’ houses that were damaged will be rebuilt. As the Police Chief here, I urge the people of Desa Sibenpopo who are currently displaced to return to their respective homes immediately. I guarantee that the situation in Desa Sibenpopo is now safe again,” said the Police Chief in front of the residents on Monday. Upon arriving in Desa Sibenpopo, West Patani Subdistrict, the Police Chief directly led the inspection of several residents’ houses that were damaged. “This inspection aims to monitor the development of the security situation and ensure the recovery process for the affected residents,” said the Police Chief while with the Provincial Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) of North Maluku. The Police Chief also ensured that his side would build a security post in Desa Sibenpopo in accordance with the residents’ request. He emphasised the commitment of TNI and Polri to provide a sense of security and comfort through tight security. The Police Chief hopes that similar incidents will not recur and that the residents of Desa Bobane Jaya and Desa Sibenpopo can live side by side peacefully again. On that occasion, the Police Chief also reminded the public not to be provoked by ethnic, religious, racial, and inter-group (SARA) issues circulating on social media. He invited all communities to restrain themselves and not be easily influenced by unverified information. In that meeting, the Police Chief expressed condolences for the fatalities and urged the public not to be provoked by issues that could worsen the situation. Subsequently, the entourage also visited the displaced persons in Desa Fritu, North Weda Subdistrict. In dialogue with the residents, various aspirations were conveyed, from requests to accelerate the handling of legal cases, the construction of security posts, to the resolution of village boundaries. The Police Chief affirmed that the presence of TNI and Polri is a form of concern for the community’s condition after the conflict, while ensuring that the situation in the area has gradually become conducive. He also emphasised the importance of the government’s role in providing guarantees of security and comfort for all residents. “The presence of the government now is very important to provide assurances to the community so they feel safe and comfortable,” he said.