PapuaAround.com – A military observer from the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISESS), Khairul Fahmi, highlighted the terminology shift made by the TNI from the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) or Terrorist Separatist Group to the Free Papua Movement (OPM). For Fahmi, this move is merely symbolic without substantive changes in the national policy regarding Papua.
“I want to stress to the TNI that changing this attribution actually doesn’t have real impact without changes in government policy or decisions,” Fahmi said in a statement given on Wednesday (4/17).
According to Fahmi, even though the terms have changed, without official recognition from the state regarding the armed group’s status as a separatist movement, military operations other than war (OMSP) conducted by the TNI in Papua will still be difficult to implement. He asserts that every action by the TNI must comply with direct orders from the President as the supreme commander.
“In the absence of changes in state policy and decisions, TNI’s OMSP in Papua will continue as usual, providing support to the Police in maintaining security and order,” he added.
Fahmi emphasizes that this is not an operation to address separatist movements or armed rebellion, but merely to assist the Police in security duties.
However, on the other hand, Fahmi also acknowledges that the government has adopted a broader approach in solving the Papua issue, involving various related sectors. He emphasizes that this does not mean the government will not involve the TNI and Police in resolving conflicts in Papua.
“What is actually expected is a more relevant role distribution. TNI is responsible for handling separatist groups, while the Police focus on handling criminals and security disruptions. Softer approaches will be taken by other government sectors,” he explained.
Previously, the TNI announced a change in terminology from KST/KKB to OPM. TNI Commander, General Agus Subiyanto, explained that this change was made following the terminology used by the group itself.
“They themselves refer to themselves as TPNPB, which stands for West Papua National Liberation Army, which is in line with OPM,” Agus explained at Wisma A. Yani, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (4/10).
Agus also emphasized that the OPM has been involved in various acts of terror, including murder and rape, against civilians and security forces.
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Source: CNN.