Singgih Wiryono, Jakarta – Former Jakarta governor and presidential hopeful from the Coalition for Change and Unity (KPP), Anies Baswedan, says that the solution to the armed conflict in Papua is policies that create to a sense of justice.
"So the solution is creating a sense of justice, then God willing, there will be no conflict", said Baswedan at an event titled "Entrusting Hope" at the Al Jazeera Restaurant in Cipinang, Central Jakarta, on Saturday August 19.
Baswedan said that peace does not mean there are no conflicts, shooings or hostilities. According to Baswedan, peace can be achieved if there is a sense of hope in Papuan society.
He also emphasised that the principle of resolving the Papua conflict must be pursued by means of providing a sense of hope.
"This is what I hold to, peace is marked by everyone feeling there is justice, that's where real peace lies", he said.
Earlier, Baswedan was reluctant to comment on the Free Papua Movement (OPM), which has been labeled by the government as a terrorist separatist group (KST).
According to Baswedan, the government is currently endeavoring to resolve this case. "So we must let it be resolved so that we do not add to the complexity of handling of what is currently happening in Papua", he said.
Violence in Papua by the OPM has continued to escalate. There have been persistent rumours about Susi Air pilot, New Zealand national Philips Mark Mehrtens, who was taken hostage by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in February and has still not been rescued.
Meanwhile efforts to rescue Mehrtens have also resulted in the death of TNI (Indonesian military) soldiers. At least six TNI soldiers have been reportedly killed as a result of armed clashes with the TPNPB group holding Marthens led by Egianus Kogoya.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Anies Sebut Jalan Keluar Konflik Bersenjata Papua adalah Rasa Keadilan".]
