Police Refer Issue of KKB Supporters in Papua New Guinea to Foreign Ministry
Translator
Tempo.co
Editor
Markus Wisnu Murti
Jumat, 14 Mei 2021 15:45 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Police have referred the matter of supporters of Papuan armed criminal groups (KKB) in Papua New Guinea to the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
“If they [the supporters] are in Papua New Guinea, please ask the Foreign Affairs Ministry,” said National Police Public Relations Chief Insp. Gen. Argo Yuwono in a text message on Friday, May 14, 2021.
A number of people in Papua New Guinea identifying themselves as the East Sepik group have announced they will assist the armed criminal groups in Papua.
The Papua New Guinea (PNG) government, meanwhile, said it would look into the matter. The Indonesian Ambassador to Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby, Andriana Supandy, explained the PNG government through its Foreign Affairs Minister Soroi Eoe said the act of the KKB supporters as displayed in a video footage was a criminal act.
“The PNG Foreign Affairs Minister in a statement to the press in Port Moresby said the PNG government is investigating the case,” he said on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.
According to him, PNG Military Commander Maj. Gen. Gilbert Taropo also said the KKB supporters did not represent PNG. “They are a criminal group, which is against the stance of PNG towards Indonesia as a friendly neighboring country,” the ambassador said.
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ANDITA RAHMA
