OPM Actions Disrupt Security and Logistics Distribution, Cause Hunger in Papuan People

*) By: Yosephine Bonay

All parties must continue to be wary of propaganda and provocation efforts from the Free Papua Organization (OPM) which cause security disturbances and hamper logistics distribution from the Government, resulting in starvation among the Papuan people.

In fact, in an effort to overcome hunger among the Papuan people, the Government continues to make serious and maximum efforts to intensify the distribution of various aid in the form of logistical materials.

However, the government’s efforts are in danger of being hampered due to the propaganda and provocations carried out by the OPM as well as the various kinds of security disturbances they have launched, causing the Papuan people to suffer from hunger.

Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Lt. Gen. TNI Suharyanto, revealed that there was indeed a security disturbance from the OPM which hampered the process of distributing famine aid in the area nicknamed Bumi Cenderawasih. So the existence of separatist gangs that are enemies of the nation has become a problem there that must be addressed immediately because if not, things will become even more complicated.

Moreover, in several remote areas of Papua it is not possible to access four-wheeled vehicles at all so access there is quite difficult. However, the officers did not give up, but continued to try to distribute logistics even though they had to use other methods such as using two wheels, which also had to travel several hours due to the distance.

To overcome these obstacles, the Government has also sent a number of assistance from other Ministries and Institutions such as the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Indonesian National Army (TNI).

With all its efforts, the Government really wants to ensure that the basic needs of all Papuan people can be handled well so that they can overcome the problem of hunger there.

Apart from that, BNPB is also building food warehouses in Sinak and Agandugume, Puncak Regency, Central Papua to overcome the threat of hunger for the local community due to the upas dew climate phenomenon.

Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, said that the food warehouse in Sinak District has been completed and already contains food reserves which are now ready to be distributed to the community.

However, there was a disturbance in the form of horizontal conflict from certain groups, which turned out to be none other than, it was all due to propaganda, provocation and also incitement from the OPM, so that security forces had to intervene in the field to provide direct security.

Intelligence Assistant for the Presidential Security Forces, Colonel Kav Herman Taryaman, explained that so far OPM has often carried out acts of terror in various regions in Papua, where it is not uncommon for their actions to often release propaganda, including inciting the public or slandering the security forces.

Separatist gangs who are enemies of the state often throw heated issues among the Papuan people who were previously peaceful. They usually pit people against each other, or act as if the security forces will threaten indigenous Papuans (OAP).

In its actions, it is not uncommon for the OPM to often distort the facts and instead throw baseless accusations as well as slander or hoaxes on their various social media or mass media to spread propaganda and provocation.

They continue to use this cunning method so that society becomes unfavorable and continues to experience panic or fear. So in this way, people become anxious and suffer greatly.

*) The author is a Papuan student living in Makassar