Ten OPM Members Pledge Allegiance to Indonesia, Citing Group's Violence

Lieutenant General Lucky Avianto, Commander of the Joint Regional Defence Command III, has welcomed the decision of ten members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) to return to the fold of the Republic of Indonesia. “Thank God, ten active members of Kodap IV Sorong Raya of the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) have decided to return to the embrace of the Motherland, to gather, unite and integrate with all elements of Papuan society within the framework of the Republic of Indonesia,” Lucky Avianto stated in a press release received in Jakarta on Thursday. The integration took place during a ceremony held at the Kodam XVIII/Kasuari field. Lucky explained that the former OPM members chose to embrace the Republic of Indonesia because they could no longer tolerate the violent treatment of civilians by their former organisation. “These former TPNPB-OPM members said the OPM group frequently spread terror, seized property, crops and livestock, raped village women, injured and even did not hesitate to kill anyone who refused or did not support their movement,” Lucky said. In contrast, they felt differently when observing the treatment by the Indonesian military. They admitted to being touched by the humanitarian approach often carried out by Kodam XVIII/Kasuari towards residents. Furthermore, Lucky stated that the former OPM members also realised that the military task force under the control of Kogabwilhan III prioritised a development approach by going directly into the community while providing assistance. “This is what has touched their hearts and aroused sympathy and empathy among sympathisers and active TPNPB-OPM members,” Lucky added. Lucky expressed hope that similar steps would be followed by other separatist group members so that all Papuans would be willing to reunite within the Republic of Indonesia. He is confident that with unity in Papua, the accelerated development programme launched by President Prabowo Subianto in Papua will be implemented more swiftly. “I invite our other brothers and sisters, in the interior jungles, mountain peaks and valleys of Papua, to return to the embrace of the Motherland,” he concluded.