JakartaPost-Feb 8, 2024
West Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Johnny Eddizon Isir said on Wednesday that security and public order in the province’s seven regencies remained conducive to holding the Feb. 14 election. The seven regencies are Manokwari, South Manokwari, Arfak Mountains, Bintuni Bay, Wondama Bay, Kaimana and Fakfak. Johnny said the province’s stability was demonstrated by regular community and government activities and that the police were actively monitoring the situation. “Economic, social, political, religious activities and everything [else] are running normally,” he said, as quoted by Antara news agency. Johnny emphasized the importance of coordination and collaboration among stakeholders in West Papua to promote a consistently peaceful environment. He added that the police had deployed security and public order non-commissioned officers (Bhabinkamtibmas) to improve communication with communities at the grassroots level. In addition to West Papua province, the West Papua Police have jurisdiction over Southwest Papua province which consists of Sorong city and the regencies of Sorong, South Sorong, Maybrat, Tambrauw and Raja Ampat. Southwest Papua province was carved out of West Papua province in November 2022. Arfak tribal leader Dominggus Mandacan said ensuring the safety of the region before the election was a collective responsibility in West Papua and that therefore, traditional, religious and youth leaders as well as Papuan and non-Papuan community leaders should actively contribute to fostering peaceful elections. Read more at: https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2024/02/08/west-papua-safe-for-election-police-chief-says.html.
