Political roundup: Security briefing, ex-OPM members return, and education directive
A series of political events took place on Thursday, including the National Police Chief reporting on the public order situation to the President and ten former members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) returning to the fold of the Republic of Indonesia.
President Prabowo Subianto received a report from National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta regarding the latest developments in national security, the public order situation across various Indonesian regions, and the police force’s support for the national development agenda. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, who attended the limited meeting, explained that General Listyo also reported on a series of activities planned by the police ahead of the Bhayangkara Day commemoration.
Ten individuals formerly part of the OPM’s Kodap IV/Sorong Raya declared their return to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and committed to helping create a conducive security environment. Pangkogabwilhan III Lieutenant General Lucky Avianto stated in Manokwari, West Papua, that the ten OPM combatants from Kodap IV/Sorong Raya came from elements of Kowip I, Ofir Battalion, and Sair Battalion.
In a separate development, military trainers imposed physical punishments on participants of basic military training who were found violating regulations during their education, such as being late for morning assembly. Commander of the Training Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel (Mar) Agus Mutaqin, said that latecomers might be given ten or fifteen push-ups as a consequence.
President Prabowo also instructed Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Brian Yuliarto to ensure that human resources produced by domestic universities can meet the needs of strategic industries. During a limited meeting at the palace, the President stressed that human resource competence and quality are crucial factors in accelerating downstream processing and the development of several strategic industries currently being pursued by the government.
The Provincial Government of North Sumatra achieved an Unqualified Opinion from the Supreme Audit Agency for its Regional Government Financial Report for the 2025 fiscal year, marking the twelfth consecutive year. Governor Bobby Nasution expressed hope that this achievement would spur the enthusiasm of all government apparatus.