Wiranto Claims Papua and West Papua are Peaceful, Conducive Now

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto claimed the situation in Papua and West Papua has now become conducive and peaceful. He claimed to get the report about the matter from the Commander of the Regional Military Command and the Head of the Regional Police in Papua and West Papua.

"This morning I got a report from Papua and West Papua, straight from the Military District Commander and the Regional Police Chief themselves, reported the situation of Papua and West Papua to me and told me that it has now become conducive, all regions were peaceful, shops were open, life was running again," said Wiranto while attending a music event themed "Yospan Papua" in the HI Roundabout area, Central Jakarta, which was held in the midst of car free day activities, Sunday, September 1, 2019.

Wiranto also thanked the people of Papua and West Papua. He said that problems in Papua and West Papua should be discussed patiently and calmly, as President Joko Widodo said.

"Mr. President Jokowi said that if there is a problem, please handle it with patience [...] then we will talk," he said.

The former National Armed Forces Commander also advised that the submission of opinions and problem solving should not be carried out with demonstrations. "We talk but not with demonstrations, talk it out with heart," he said.

Wiranto also expressed his gratitude because according to him the people of Papua and West Papua had reunited again with Indonesia. He invited the entire community to maintain the brotherhood of Indonesia, from Aceh to Papua.

"We are all brothers, torang semua basudara, from Aceh to Papua, so let's keep this up," Wiranto said.

Demonstrations that led to chaos in Papua and West Papua had occurred since two weeks ago. This series of actions was initially triggered by racist and discriminatory incidents that occurred to Papuan students in Surabaya and Malang.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI | ANDITA RAHMA