TNI Denies Abducting Mama Sinta

The Commander of the XXIV/Mandala Trikora Regional Command, Major General TNI Frits Wilem Rizard Pelamonia, has emphasised that the TNI was not involved in the alleged abduction of Yasinta Moiwend, or Mama Sinta, which has been widely discussed recently. “I guarantee it was not an act by the TNI. There was no abduction as has been widely reported,” said Major General Frits during a press briefing in Jakarta on Thursday. According to him, the accusation is clearly refuted because Mama Yasinta herself admitted she never felt abducted or intimidated by any party. Frits stated that the issue spread so rapidly because no one attempted to confirm it directly with the TNI. Consequently, the issue, which appears to corner the TNI, has caused the public to speculate without seeking balanced information. He therefore called on the public to be wiser in responding to circulating information and not to be easily influenced by unverified narratives. With this affirmation, Frits hopes the polemic surrounding Mama Sinta does not develop into disinformation that could disrupt stability, particularly in the South Papua region.