The group felled two large trees and placed the trunks on the road outside the entrance to the building at about 5 a.m.
They said they had done so because the KPUD failed to properly organize last April’s legislative election and had still not appointed legislators for the 2009-2014 period.
The protesters obstructed traffic between Kuala Kencana and Timika for 30 minutes.
Police personnel, including members of the Mobile Brigade, under the command of Mimika Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Godhelp C. Mansnembra, arrived at the scene an hour and a half later and immediately removed the barricade, allowing traffic to resume. The road runs toward Timika, the home base of PT Freeport Indonesia’s mining operations.
The police confronted protests, forcefully removing them from the scene. Police arrested 12 people, but the majority of protestors fled into the surrounding woods. PT Freeport workers were eventually able to resume travel.
Nansnembra told reporters that a number of prospective legislators, including Yakobus Kogoya, Philiphus Wakerwa and Devi Awom, were believed to be responsible for organizing the protest. He said they did so because they were discontent with the performance of the Mimika KPUD, which, nearly three months after polling day, has not named the winners of the legislative election.
“The three legislative candidates from the National Mandate Party previously filed a report with the Mimika Police claiming ballot rigging was committed by the organizers of the election in Mimika. I explained to them that they should have strong evidence if they wished to take legal action against the KPUD. The case is currently being processed,” Manemsbra said.
Menembra added that the protest was not aimed at delaying or disrupting Wednesday’s presidential election, but only to expresses dissatisfaction over the legislative election.
Manemsbra said police would summon the three people believed to be responsible, adding the security condition in Mimika ahead of the presidential election remained normal.
The KPUD has not explained why the results of the election have not yet been announced.