Handling KKB Use Welfare Approach

Handling of Armed Criminal Groups (KKB) is now using a pattern that prioritizes a welfare and cultural approach. Operation Nemangkawi, which was previously created to deal with KKB, has now been changed to Operation Rastra Samara Kasih (Rasaka) and Operation Damai Cartenz.

The new phase of handling the KKB has begun after the security situation in Papua is relatively safe. Although, there are still disturbances in some areas of the mountainous district.

The Regents Stand in Front

In its implementation, Operation Rasaka will be carried out in 23 Polres covering 24 districts/cities. Meanwhile, the Cartenz Peace Operation will be carried out in five districts that are included in the red zone, namely the Bintang Mountains, Yahukimo, Nduga, Puncak and Intan Jaya.

Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius D Fakiri at the "Papua Police Policing Discourse" in Jayapura, Tuesday (15/5/2022) said that the old way of dealing with KKB would be changed because it proved unable to solve existing problems.

Local governments, especially regents, are asked to appear in front so that the community does not feel awkward being involved in police activities.

"It's not the time for us to be the police at the front. It's not the era of the police as substitute players, but we want them to work, we are behind," he said.

Not only the regents, all elements of society, ranging from religious leaders, traditional leaders, youth leaders, will be involved in the two operations.

Regarding the budget, Fakiri ensured that the funding for the two operations was purely using the Papua Regional Police's DPA, which was supported by the National Police Headquarters.

"I also hope that with this activity, the local government will be at the forefront and we all believe that the local government is able to invite all people to prosper," said Fakiri.

Commitment to Reduce Violence

Fakiri emphasized that through Operation Rasaka and Operation Peace Cartenz, the National Police was committed to reducing the number of violence.

According to him, if violence is countered by violence, the problem will never be completely resolved, so a welfare and cultural approach is believed to be able to overcome this.

"We will try to reduce violence, together with the regional government, we will encourage how to realize prosperity in the midst of a growing community rather than regional leaders," he said.

Regents' Response

Responding to the Papua Regional Police's policy which will change the pattern of handling KKB, several regents gave a good welcome.

Puncak Regent Willem Wandik views the policy as the right solution to address security problems in the central highlands of Papua.

"I see that the policy is correct so that when a shooting occurs, the Head of the Dandim Police who is there they adhere to the state's orders in the sense of a peaceful approach," he said.

Wandik admits that the stigma of violence is still attached to some mountainous communities when they face the security forces.

Therefore, the Cartenz Peace Operation which will be carried out in Puncak is believed to be able to cut the distance between the security forces and the community.

"The presence of the TNI and Polri is not an enemy but a part of creating security in an area," he said.

In addition, Wandik also admitted that security issues were the main obstacle in the development process in his area.

With the Cartenz Peace Operation pattern, he hopes that all development activities can be carried out.

"So that community activities and education run well and infrastructure development," said Wandik.

In line with Wandik, the Regent of Intan Jaya Natalis Tabuni also welcomed the efforts of the police in dealing with KKB by taking a welfare and cultural approach.

This pattern is considered appropriate because from a cultural perspective, there are customary rules regarding non-violent problem solving.

"Excellent appreciation because this will be useful for dealing with problems in Papua, especially conflict areas," he said.

He was able to fulfill the wish of the Papuan Police Chief so that the regents could be at the forefront.

According to him, so far the Intan Jaya Regency Government and the Yalimo Police have worked well together to solve the KKB problem.

“In principle, local governments have started to work together in dealing with armed conflicts. I am sure and optimistic that we will support each other in the implementation, especially in handling conflicts in the Intan Jaya area," Natalis said.

SOURCE: https://times.online/handling-kkb-use-approach-kesejahteraan-kapolda-papua-bukan-eranya-polisi-yang-di-front/