Supporting Security Enforcement Against OPM and Papuan Development

By: Dhita Karuniawati )*

Papua, as an integral part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), has extraordinary potential in terms of natural resources and cultural wealth. However, this potential is often hampered by security issues, especially those related to the activities of armed separatist groups such as the Free Papua Movement (OPM). In recent decades, OPM has become a serious threat to stability, public safety, and efforts to accelerate development in Bumi Cenderawasih.
Enforcing security against OPM is not only a measure of national defense, but also a form of protection for the basic rights of Papuans to live in peace and enjoy progress. The state has an obligation to maintain territorial sovereignty and ensure that development in Papua proceeds smoothly, fairly, and sustainably.
OPM, as a separatist movement, has repeatedly committed acts of violence that have harmed both civilians and security forces. In recent years, reports of the burning of public facilities, the taking of hostages, and attacks on health workers and teachers have become tragic portraits of the critical security situation.
This group uses the issue of social and economic dissatisfaction as a basis for armed resistance, even though violent methods are actually detrimental to the Papuan people themselves. Fear due to terror carried out by the OPM has disrupted access to education, hampered health services, and slowed down development investment. The community, which should be the main subject of development, has instead become the victim of an endless conflict.

Young Intellectual Figure from the Papua Mountains, Charles Kasuay said that in recent times in Papua, especially in Air Garam, Asotipo District, Jayawijaya Regency, there has been a shooting carried out by the TPNPB group against construction workers at one of the GKI churches in Air Garam.

According to Charles, the actions carried out by the TPNPB cannot be praised or justified by anyone because they violate people’s right to life or violate Human Rights. Moreover, the actions carried out by the TPNPB groups were carried out in several places such as Yahukimo, Intan Jaya, Puncak, and several other areas.

These TPNPB actions have resulted in people being traumatized from carrying out daily activities and activities such as working in gardens, offices, and others.

The Young Intellectual Figure of the Papua Mountains appealed to the TPNPB group not to take actions that disrupt the activities of the wider community. Moreover, these actions do not only target construction workers but also in the teaching process activities carried out by teachers and nurses or health workers. Because, they are humanitarian servants who come to Papua to help Human Resources, health services, and development throughout Papua.
Charles Kasuay said that taking people’s lives is an act that cannot be justified or is fatal and inhumane.
The Indonesian government continues to strengthen its security approach in dealing with the OPM separatist group. These steps are taken through integrated TNI and Polri operations aimed at protecting civilians and suppressing the activities of armed groups. In every operation, the government emphasizes a professional, proportional approach and prioritizes the principle of human rights.
In addition to the military approach, the government is also encouraging deradicalization strategies and strategic communication to break the chain of recruitment and support for separatist groups. These steps aim not only to crush armed forces, but also to restore collective awareness that Papua is a legitimate and inseparable part of Indonesia.
Law enforcement against violent actors is also part of this strategy. The government does not hesitate to take action against perpetrators proven to have committed crimes against society, while still opening up space for dialogue for residents who want to return to the bosom of the Republic of Indonesia.
Handling the Papua conflict cannot be done solely through a security approach. The long-term solution lies in the success of equitable and just development. Therefore, the government has placed Papua as one of the priorities in the national development agenda, including through the revised Special Autonomy (Otsus) program to provide greater benefits for the Papuan people.
Various infrastructure projects continue to be intensified, starting from the construction of the Trans Papua road, bridges, airports, to hospitals. This infrastructure not only opens up access to previously isolated areas, but also becomes an important foundation in creating local economic growth.