Activist Veronica Koman Slams State-official's Degrading Comment

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Human Rights activist Veronica Koman said she felt disheartened by the comments produced by Coordinating Minister of Politics, Law, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, regarding the Papuan civilian death toll report her team handed over to President Jokowi.

Previously reported, Mahfud MD seemingly suggested Veronica’s data is insignificant and merely referred to as trash. 

“[I’m disappointed]. His statement only deepens the wounds of Papuans. Never mind justice, it’s not even acknowledged,” said Veronica to Tempo on Tuesday, February 11.  

However, Veronica said she finds Mahfud’s response unsurprising as the coordinating minister had once caused controversy after claiming President Jokowi’s first administration saw no cases of human rights violations, which she strongly denied. 

“To be honest, his response was unsurprising considering he once claimed the Jokowi’s era saw no acts of human rights violations were committed, which at the time was hurtful for the people to hear. This seems like the second episode of that,” said Veronica. 

Furthermore, the report on the civilian death toll and political prisoners in Papua that her team handed to the president consists of victims’ identities, location of the incident, and those who are under city arrest. She claims more photo evidence has yet been revealed by her team. 

“The report only included names. I think if this is how it goes, how dare this regime ask for Papuans to place their hope on them?” she concluded. 

Previously reported, the Coordinating Minister of Politics, Law, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, said the government has not formally received Veronica’s claimed records.

“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 MD. 

HALIDA BUNGA FISANDRA | DEWI NURITA