JABAR ESKSPRES — Vice President, Ma’ruf Amin, has called on members of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI/Polri) to take firm action against armed criminal groups (KKB) in Papua.
This was expressed by the Vice President after the death of one TNI soldier, Miftahul Arifin, who was shot by KKB while trying to free the Susi Air pilot in Papua, as stated by the Vice President’s Spokesperson, Masduki Baidlowi, in a written statement in Jakarta, Tuesday (18/4).
“The Vice President emphasized that now is the time for the TNI and Polri to be firm in conducting sweeps and pursuits of the KKB appropriately and not disturbing civilians,” Masduki said.
Masduki said that the Vice President believes that the Papuan civilians strongly condemn all brutal actions and movements of the KKB that destroy the harmony and peace among the Papuan people, especially in the Papua Mountains.
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Masduki said that the Vice President expressed his deep condolences to the extended family of the TNI for the death of Private Miftahul Arifin while on duty to maintain the security and sovereignty of the state in the Papua region.
According to him, the Vice President strongly condemned the KKB violence that again claimed the life of a TNI soldier in the midst of his struggle to protect the people and the humanitarian mission to save the Susi Air Pilot who was still being held hostage by the KKB.
“The Vice President also feels the loss, this is a tough test for families and fellow TNI soldiers who are left behind,” he said.
However, Masduki said, the Vice President hopes that the courage, devotion, and sacrifice of Private Miftahul Arifin can inspire and motivate all parties to continue to strive to create peace in the Land of Papua.
