Govt Restricts Foreigners' Access to Papua: Wiranto

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has officially announced that it will curb the access of foreign nationals to Papua and West Papua following the recent findings suggesting foreign intervention in the massive demonstrations across the regions in the past several days.

“During a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, we agreed not to open the access for foreign nationals as wide as possible in Papua and West Papua,” said Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto in Jakarta on Monday.

The minister said that transparent and non-restrictive access would be regranted after the government quelled “several elements” that had exacerbated the situation in Papua.

“[We will allow it again] after the conditions improve,” said Wiranto.

Earlier, National Police (Polri) Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian acknowledged there were a number of mass-organizations participating in the widespread anarchy across Papua and West Papua. These organizations, he said, were directly linked to foreign intervention, mainly global organizations.

The police chief’s allegations were rooted in the findings of National Cyber and Encryption Agency (BSSN) Chief Hinsa Siburian, who claimed there was a social media account backed by foreign parties that intentionally spread false narratives regarding Papua’s conditions.

ANDITA RAHMA