Police and Army Members Clash at Sorong Port

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - West Papua Regional Police Chief Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir stated that several members were injured in a clash between the Police’s Mobile Brigade (Brimob) personnel and Navy personnel at Sorong Port earlier this morning, Sunday, April 14, 2024.

"So far, our data shows that our colleagues from the Navy are still under treatment, and one member from Tambrauw Police is also receiving treatment. Meanwhile, five personnel from Sorong City Police have undergone treatment and have returned," Johnny said at a press conference in Sorong on Sunday, April 14, 2024.

Johnny stated that his team would investigate to uncover the cause of the clash. The altercation involved several members of the Navy Military Police (Pomal) of Lantamal XIV/Sorong and members of Brimob from West Papua Regional Police Battalion B Sorong.

Meanwhile, the West Papua Regional Police will impose strict sanctions on Brimob members who are proven guilty to serve as a deterrent. "So, our team from West Papua Regional Police will descend and conduct an investigation into the case," Johnny said.

Johnny apologized to the Navy for the incident. He hoped that such incidents will not occur in the future so that the relationship between the Police and the Navy in the Southwest West Papua region, especially in Sorong City, remains good.

Moreover, Johhny said, there is a national agenda, namely the Regional Head Election (Pilkada) in November 2024, so the commitment of the Navy and the Police to safeguard this national agenda for it to run safely and conducive can be carried out well and maximally.

According to the Regional Police Chief, the chronological basis of the incident began with a misunderstanding between the two parties, resulting in a clash at Sorong Port.

TNI Spokesperson: Mediation has been Conducted

The Indonesian Navy and the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) of West Papua Regional Police have conducted mediation regarding the clash that occurred on Sunday, April 14, 2024.

"The actions taken by each leader to control their subordinates and to mediate," said the Head of Information Center of TNI Headquarters Major General TNI Nugraha Gumilar when confirmed in Jakarta.

Gumilar said the clash occurred precisely at the entrance to the departure waiting room of the Pelindo IV Sorong office, Southwest Papua Province, at 09:30 WIT.

The fight started when members of the Navy Marhanlan XIV/Sorong reprimanded Brimob personnel from West Papua Regional Police who were at the location. He did not elaborate on the exact words used in the reprimand.

The reprimand, Gumilar continued, led to a misunderstanding, resulting in a clash between the two parties.

As of now, the TNI and the Police are guarding the examination location to ensure there is no further conflict between the two sides. "Currently, we are conducting joint patrols as a preventive measure to avoid being provoked by the incident," said Gumilar.