Security Forces in Nduga, Papua Hampers Public Service: Ombudsman

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia (RI) member Ahmad Suaedy says the security operations by the National Police (Polri) and Armed Forces (TNI) in Nduga, Papua, are hampering the public services in the region.

“Some parts are now controlled by the TNI, how could refugees return [back to their homes], there are no schools, or community health centers (puskesmas),” said Suaedy on Thursday, August 29.

However, the Ombudsman member asserts that his criticism is not to belittle the operations of security forces, which he says is dully needed in the area.

He argues that the approach practiced by the military and police tend to be firm about security, which he says cannot be implemented in Papua. Suaedy advised state authorities to take a persuasive humanistic approach toward local known church figures and chieftains instead of using dominance.

“We argue that public services must be guaranteed. But what we see now is that schools, healthcare centers, and churches are deserted. I am firmly sure that facility development and fixes can be conducted quicker if teachers, healthcare employees, and pastors return to the area,” he says.

Upon representing the voices of local people, the Nduga-Papua humanitarian team officially requested for the government to pull military and police forces from the region for operations had reportedly caused several casualties.

ANTARA