Indonesia Reviewing Whether to Label Papua Armed Groups Terrorist or Not

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko said that authorities are reviewing suggestions that the  Papuan armed criminal group (KKB) should be labeled or categorized as terrorist.

The idea was voiced by the National Counterterrorism Agency Head Comr. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar following the death of the Regional Intelligence Agency Chief Brig. Gen. I Gusti Putu Danny Nugraha Karya who was shot by the rebel group on Sunday, April 25.

Moeldoko opined that criminal acts committed by the KKB had entered a new phase. Moreover, it had started to lead to terrorism acts, causing a sense of insecurity, fear, and even lead to murder among the community.

“So there is a suggestion to no longer use the term of KKB but terrorists. The input is still being studied together,” said the former military commander in a written statement today.

The government, he went on, would be more assertive in enforcing the law after the death of the Regional Intelligence Chief. “As ordered by the President that there is no place for KKB in Papua and all corners of the country,” he remarked.

Moeldoko said the government ensures that the handling of Papua KKB would not conflict with the values of human rights as it is carried out in a measured manner with a legal approach. This is in line with President Jokowi’s instruction during the plenary cabinet session on Tuesday, April 27.

Read: Police Yet to Deploy More Personnel after Papua Intelligence Chief Killed

DEWI NURITA | BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI