TNI Commander Speaks Out on Addressing Issues in Papua

TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto stated that addressing the issues in Papua cannot rely solely on the role of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).

According to him, collaboration is required between the TNI, local governments, and relevant ministries. This statement was made by Agus in response to several recent incidents involving the shooting of civilians, allegedly by members of the Free Papua Organisation (OPM).

Agus noted that the TNI has already deployed numerous units across Papua. He remarked that Papua’s vast geography, characterised by mountainous regions, is a critical factor that must be considered in the handling of the Papua situation.

“We have deployed units in Papua. Indeed, Papua is a very vast area, a very large territory, consisting of extreme mountainous regions. I believe that resolving the Papua issue cannot be done by the TNI alone; everyone must collaborate, including local governments and ministries,” Agus told reporters on Sunday (20/9).

He further touched upon the importance of infrastructure development to support community access and improve welfare. Agus also drew comparisons to conditions in other regions.

“Not just in Papua, even in my region in Batukaras, we still rely on bridges. This is why the President has launched initiatives to build bridges to connect sub-districts and villages, so that community welfare and the economy can flow smoothly,” he said.

Recently, several attacks on civilians, allegedly by OPM members, have occurred in Papua. On Wednesday (9/9), three employees of the Jayawijaya Regency Agriculture Office in Muliama, Highland Papua, died after being shot. Subsequently, on Tuesday (15/9), OPM members reportedly set fire to a driver and his vehicle on the route from Wamena to Mbua, Highland Papua.