Hendrik Khoirul Muhid, Jakarta – Military observer and lecturer at the Brawijaya University Faculty of Law, Al Araf, believes that the formation of new Conflict Area Support (PDR) infantry battalions (Yonif) in five regions of Papua reflects the government's position of considering Papua a conflict prone region.
"The (government's) approach still prioritises additional security", he said when contacted on Wednesday October 2
Al Araf admitted he was surprised at the government's attitude of still using a security approach in the Papua region by deploying additional troops. Yet this pattern of using a security approach has been proven to have failed when applied during the era of reformasi – the political reform process that began in 1998.
"This (security approach) actually does not answer the problems [in Papua]", he said.
The formation of these new battalions, he said, also has the potential to create violence and human rights violations in Papua. The long-term policy is oriented towards increasing military defence forces by adding troops and battalions.
"What is feared is that this dynamic will not solve the problem, but it will instead give rise to the problem of serious conflicts in Papua", he said.
The Indonesian Military (TNI) has officially formed five new units in Papua to support security and development in vulnerable areas.
"The purpose of forming these battalions is for support in these areas", said TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto at the Silang Field at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta on Wednesday October 2.
Subiyanto said that the new battalions were formed to assist government programs in the Papua region, primarily in development activities and regional acceleration, and improve the welfare of the Papuan people.
According to Subiyanto, the new battalions are difference from other units. The new battalions have two specific tasks, namely construction and production.
"These battalions have more specific duties and roles, including supporting food security, handling security threats, and encouraging community development", Subiyanto said.
Related to the task of production, the new battalions will carry out agricultural programs in the Papua region. The battalion's role in this production will be to cooperate with the Ministry of Agriculture and local communities to plant food commodities.
The following is a list of the new Conflict Area Support battalions:
1. Duga Adiyatama Yudha Infantry Battalion 801, the first and foremost worriers in meeting the enemy. The battalion is to be located in Kerom regency, Papua.
2. Wimanimambejaya Infantry Battalion 802, powerful worriers who are always triumphant. The unit is to be located in Sarmi regency, Papua.
3. Kesatria Yudha Kensuwiri Infantry Battalion 803, worriers that build. To be located in Boven Digoel regency, South Papua.
4. Dharma Bakti Asasta Yudha Infantry Battalion 804, a unit that serves the welfare of the people in battle. The battalion is to be located in Merauke regency, South Papua.
5. Kesatria Satia Waninggap Infantry Battalion 805, faithful worriers defending the truth. The unit is to be located in Sorong regency, Southwest Papua.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Pengamat Sebut Pembentukan 5 Yonif Baru di Papua Berpotensi Ciptakan Kekerasan dan Praktik Pelanggaran HAM".]
