TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD has again asserted that Veronica Koman’s data on the Papuans death toll and political prisoners is not important. He considered the human rights activist’s claim as just deceit and accused her of being an anti-Indonesia.

“Veronica Koman is an anti-Indonesia who always besmirch Indonesia, but Papua. If she handed a letter to the President, there are many people delivering letters too everyday. How come she wants to be prioritized?” said Mahfud at State Palace Complex in Jakarta, Wednesday, February 12.

If she really defends Papua, Mahfud added, Veronica must return to Indonesia. “She is a betrayer. She got a scholarship from Indonesia and did not go back here. Legally, she has a debt to Indonesia. She has a contract here,” Mahfud remarked.

Previously, Veronica claimed her side had handed documents to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo directly during the latter’s state visit to Canberra, Australia on Monday, February 10. The reports included data on political prisoners and the civilian death toll in Papua that she hoped the government would follow up.

In responding to Veronica Koman’s statement, Mahfud MD earlier confirmed that the government had never received the said report officially. However, if such a document exists, Mahfud deemed it mere trash and not valid data.

DEWI NURITA