OPM Disrupts Implementation of Free Nutritious Meal Program in Papua

By: Muclas Mandowen )*

The threat to burn down schools issued by the Free Papua Movement (OPM) increasingly shows that this group has no concern for the future of the young generation of Papua.

Not only does it hinder education, but this action also contradicts various strategic government programs aimed at improving the welfare of the Papuan people. The brutal attitude of the OPM which has repeatedly attacked public facilities and spread hoaxes should be a warning to all parties to be more vigilant and united in maintaining security and the continuity of development in Papua.

The OPM’s action of threatening to burn down schools is not a spontaneous action, but rather part of their strategy to create instability in Papua. This group has long used violent tactics and propaganda to create fear in society.

Kapendam XVII/Cenderawasih, Colonel Inf Candra Kurniawan, said that this action was a form of vile slander and hoaxes deliberately spread by the OPM. According to him, this is proof that the OPM really wants Papua to remain depressed and development not to proceed. One of them is by not wanting to see Papuan children healthy, happy, and achieving the future they aspire to.

Papua is an integral part of Indonesia, and the government has launched various strategic programs to accelerate development in the region. However, terror from the OPM actually hinders efforts to improve community welfare. By intimidating educators, burning schools, and preventing Papuan children from getting a decent education, the OPM indirectly forces the community to remain in a backward condition. In fact, access to education is the main key to building an independent and prosperous Papuan generation.

One of the government’s strategic programs that is the target of OPM’s rejection is the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG), which was initiated by President Prabowo Subianto. This program aims to improve the nutritional adequacy of Indonesian children, including in Papua, so that they grow up healthy and have better competitiveness. However, the OPM actually rejects this program and even threatens to burn down schools that implement it.

The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, emphasized that this threat is a challenge that must be anticipated by the security forces. According to him, the OPM’s attitude in rejecting the MBG program and threatening to burn down schools is the TNI and Polri’s duty to anticipate it. This further clarifies that the OPM’s actions are not in the interests of the Papuan people, but only for the political ambitions of the group.

With the MBG program, Papuan children have the opportunity to get better nutrition, which of course will have an impact on improving the quality of their education and health. However, if the OPM threat is allowed to continue, it will be increasingly difficult for the young generation of Papua to escape the trap of poverty and backwardness.

Security is the main factor in the success of development in Papua. Therefore, the government continues to optimize the role of security forces in maintaining stability in the region. Head of Public Relations Task Force for Ops Damai Cartenz, Senior Commissioner of Police Yusuf Sutejo, invited all parties to unite in maintaining security.

Synergy between the government, security forces, and the community is needed to ensure that national strategic programs can run smoothly in Papua. The community is expected not to be easily provoked by provocations and propaganda spread by the OPM. By remaining focused on development and shared prosperity, Papua will become more advanced and prosperous.

The government has committed to continue developing Papua through various strategic programs, ranging from infrastructure, education, to health. Therefore, the community must participate in maintaining security stability and rejecting all forms of provocation from the OPM. The threat of burning schools is one way for the OPM to hinder Papua’s progress, but with full support from the community, all negative efforts can be suppressed.

President Prabowo Subianto brings a grand vision to build Papua into a more advanced and independent region. The Free Nutritious Meal Program is one concrete step to improve the welfare of Papuan children.

By supporting government policies and avoiding OPM provocations, we all contribute to building a brighter and more prosperous Papua.
Papua is a part of Indonesia that has extraordinary potential to develop. However, threats from separatist groups such as the OPM must be watched out for and fought with a firm stance. The Papuan people and all elements of the nation must unite, maintain security, and support every government policy for a better future.