goodmorningpapua.com – A Head of the Center for Intermestic and Diplomatic Engagement (CIDE), Anton Aliabbas, assesses the change in handling of the conflict in Papua as a touchstone for the Chief of Naval Staff (KSAL) Admiral Yudo Margono who is a candidate for TNI Commander. Anton said that it was appropriate for Yudo Margono to implement a policy related to a change in approach in dealing with the Papuan conflict.
“Military reorientation in Papua and West Papua is still not clearly seen, and this policy is a crucial touchstone for the future commander-in-chief,” said Anton in a written statement, Tuesday (29/11/2022). According to Anton, alterations of policy in Papua are important. This is because the problem in Papua so far has not received any significant changes.
Moreover, said Anton, the situation in Papua is still a significant national security issue. “On the other hand, clarity on how to approach non-violence and post-DOB military reorientation in Papua is important. Considering that so far what has emerged are rumors regarding plans to add a number of territorial commands to Cenderawasih Land,” he said. Apart from that, Anton said, the discourse on the reorientation of policies for handling conflict in Papua had actually been expressed by General Andika Perkasa at the start of his tenure as TNI Commander. Likewise with the Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General Dudung Abdurachman who once mentioned the humanist approach in Papua.
Therefore, Anton hopes that in the future there will be real implementation in changing the approach to handling conflict in Papua. “So that the statement doesn’t just stop at words, the institutionalization of these words is important,” he said.
Previously, the Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament, Puan Maharani, had announced Yudo Margono’s name as a candidate for TNI Commander. “I will announce that the name proposed by the president to replace TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa is TNI Admiral Yudo Margono, Chief of Naval Staff, who is currently serving as KSAL,” said Puan at a press conference at the DPR Building, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday ( 28/11/2022). Puan Maharani said Yudo Margono was accepted by the DPR to participate in the mechanism for selecting the current TNI Commander. Furthermore, Yudo Margono will soon undergo a fit and proper test at Commission I of the House.