Internet Access to be Reopened after Papua is Peaceful: Wiranto

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government will reopen the access to the Internet in Papua and West Papua after peace and conducive situation prevail in the easternmost provinces, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto said.

"It will be reopened for sure. Why should we block the Internet and social media when we already have peace in Papua," Wiranto said on the sidelines of "Yospan Papua" dance and musical performance during Jakarta's Car Free Day on Sunday.

Similarly, he continued, the security personnel would be withdrawn from the provinces after the situation could have returned to normal.

"We will wait, until we can see peace and security (in the provinces). We'll wait. Please be patient and calm," Wiranto said.

Wiranto claimed that the situation in Papua and West Papua have been under control.

"Today I am happy. This morning, I have received reports that [the situation] in Papua and West Papua is conducive,"

Residents have returned to their daily activities. Shops have started to operate.

"Thank God, and thank our friends in Papua and West Papua who have realized that it is unnecessary for us to fight with each other, to create anarchy, to set fire to buildings and public facilities," he noted.

Any dispute should be solved through peaceful negotiations without anarchic actions.

"President Joko Widodo has often called us to solve any problem calmly and peacefully without anger," he said.

"We have tried to tell all people that we are brothers, and to tell all Indonesians, and the world that we are brothers. That we are ready to solve any problem in a good manner," Wiranto remarked.

Since two weeks ago, Communication and Informatics Ministry have been applying a temporary Internet block in Papua and West Papua due to rampant distribution and transmission of hoaxes, false news, provocative and racist contents in the regions.

As of Tuesday (Aug. 27), the Internet access in Biak and its vicinity areas have returned to normal despite slow data speed when sending pictures or video.

National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian asserted that the Internet access restriction in Papua aimed at curbing and lowering hoax information on social media platforms. Tito said some people intentionally despise peace and the conducive situation in the province.

ANTARA