Police Deny LBH Claim of 'Sweeping' Papua Dormitory

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Police has denied the statement of Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Jakarta director Arif Maulana about the 'sweeping action' by members of the force in a number of Papuan student dormitories in Indonesia. The police said they never raided the dormitories.

The Police Headquarters' chief of Public Information Bureau, Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo, said that Arif's statement was misleading.

"Not true, not true. What we do instead is guarantee the security of all Papuan students," Dedi said in Jakarta, Wednesday, September 4.

Dedi warned LBH Jakarta to be careful about making statements or spreading information. If what they convey is false, he said, they can be criminally charged.

"What was the basis for LBH to state a hoax? We can prosecute them for that. What were their bases? What are the facts?" Dedi said, adding that if anyone witnesses police officers who commit such an act, they must report it.

However, Dedi said that if members of the police force are proven to have raided the dormitories, they will be sanctioned.

There have been media reports about LBH Jakarta asking the police to stop raiding a number of Papuan student dormitories. The LBH also asked the police to stop arbitrary arrests and opt for dialogues to resolve conflicts in Indonesia's eastern region peacefully.

LBH Jakarta also urged the police to act professionally and prioritize the principles of human rights in responding to the events that occurred.

Andita Rahma