TNI Appreciates 10 Former OPM Members Returning to the Fold of the Republic

Jakarta - Commander of the Joint Regional Defence Command III, Lieutenant General Lucky Avianto, has expressed appreciation for the decision of ten members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) to return to the embrace of the Republic of Indonesia.

‘Alhamdulillah, praise 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 bosom of the Motherland, to gather, unite and blend with all exponents and elements of Papuan society within the framework of the Republic of Indonesia,’ said Lucky Avianto in a press statement received in Jakarta on Thursday.

The acceptance of the ten former Papuan separatists took place during a ceremony held at the Kodam XVIII/Kasuari parade ground on Thursday. Lucky stated that the former OPM members chose to embrace the Republic of Indonesia because they could no longer tolerate the treatment by their former organisation, which frequently committed acts of violence against civilians.

‘These former TPNPB-OPM members said the OPM group often spread terror, seized property, crops and livestock belonging to the people, had the heart to rape village women, injure and did not hesitate to kill anyone who rejected or did not support their movement,’ said Lucky.

On the other hand, they felt a stark difference when observing the treatment by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI). He said they admitted to being touched by the humane treatment often carried out by the ranks of Kodam XVIII/Kasuari towards the residents. Furthermore, Lucky said the former OPM members also realised that the TNI 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 the hearts and aroused the sympathy and empathy of sympathisers and active members of TPNPB-OPM,’ said Lucky. Lucky expressed hope that similar steps would be followed by other members of the separatist group so that all Papuans would be willing to reunite within the Republic of Indonesia.

Lucky is confident that with unity in Papua, the accelerated development programme launched by President Prabowo Subianto in the land of Papua will be implemented more swiftly. ‘I invite our other brothers and sisters, our elders and juniors who are in the interior jungles or on the mountain peaks and valleys of Papua, to return to the bosom of the Motherland,’ he concluded.