Veronica Koman's Data on Papua Death Toll Scorned by Mahfud MD
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12 February 2020 07:53 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister of Politics, Law, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, claims the government has not formally received the claimed records of Papuan political prisoners and the civilian death toll from human rights activist Veronica Koman.
The activist recently said her team handed over the aforementioned data to President Jokowi during his work visit to Australia. Mahfud MD said there were many people that interacted with the president during the visit, and most of them handed the president letters and envelopes.
“Regarding Koman’s claim, I know that there are plenty of letters. People were enthusiastic toward the president and many handed him envelopes and letters. So it is not just Koman or not, we are not aware if Koman did do that. There were many letters,” said Mahfud at the Bogor Presidential Palace on Tuesday, February 11.
He argues that even if such records were in the plethora of letters the president received, it has not been opened.
“The letters have yet been opened obviously. Other people gave President Jokowi letters too, but if such a letter [from Koman] does exist, it is merely trash,” said Mahfud.
Previously reported, Veronica Koman claimed her team managed to hand President Jokowi with records of Papuan 57 political prisoners and civilian death toll during the president’s work visit in Australia.
DEWI NURITA