Jokowi Asserts Wamena Riot Not Ethnic Conflict

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has asserted that the ongoing conflict in Wamena, Papua, is not an ethnic conflict.

“Nobody should try to make this into an ethnic conflict. It is not! This is because of armed criminal groups up from Papuan mountains that are causing the carnage,” said Jokowi today at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Monday, September 30, 2019.

The President said the authorities were striving to protect each and every citizen in the region. The president also lauded the steps taken by the Lembah Baliem chieftain in Wamena who urged people not to take refuge in other regions.

“I see this as a positive call for the public. The police have also arrested a number of suspects responsible for the killing spree and arsons across Wamena,” said the President.

Jokowi also called on Wamena residents to stay calm and not be easily provoked by rampant slanders on social media platforms. 

Jokowi also took the opportunity to convey his deepest condolences on the deaths of 33 people during the violence that erupted in Wamena, which was sparked by a hoax claiming a teacher had made racist comments against a Papuan student.

FRISKI RIANA