OPM Admits Attack on Papuan Military Soldiers

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A spokesman for the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) Sebby Sambom admitted that his side launched an attack on the Subdistrict Military Command Post (Koramil) in Kisor Village, South Aifat District, Maybrat Regency, West Papua. The attack resulted in the deaths of four Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel.

“The commander of the Sorong Raya TPNPB-OPM Kodam IV is responsible for this attack,” Sebby told Tempo on Thursday, September 2.

He said the attack was a war for the liberation of West Papua carried out by troops throughout Papua under the command of the Supreme Commander of TPNPB General Goliath Tabuni. He stated that the war will continue in all Papua lands.

Sebby asked the government not to pursue, kill, or conduct military operations in civilian areas. “But look for TPNPB in the headquarters, and make war there. TPNPB is ready, TPNPB does not have weapons but we have tools to fight with the TNI and Polri (National Police),” he added.

He also asked the government under the leadership of President Joko Jokowi Widodo to be willing to have a negotiation with the TPNPB OPM which is affiliated with all organizations. “The war will not stop, the war will continue in Papua as long as Indonesia is still occupying the land [of Papua],” he said.

Tempo is trying to reach the Kasuari XVIII Military Command spokesman (Kapendam) Colonel Hendra Pesireron regarding the attack which was confirmed by the OPM, but there has been no response yet.

Read: OPM Terrorist Label May Hamper Indonesia's Diplomacy, Says Expert

FRISKI RIANA