TEMPO Interactive, DENPASAR:Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro discussed the latest situation in Papua in a closed bilateral meeting with the US Defense Minister Leon Panetta in Nusa Dua, Bali, yesterday.
Purnomo said they discussed military trials for Indonesian soldiers who had been charged with human rights violations. “He needs to hear the information firsthand,” said Purnomo after the meeting.
The meeting was arranged before the ASEAN defense ministers’ meeting today at the same venue. Neither parties mentioned the riot and shooting that occurred at the PT Freeport mine last week.
He told his colleague that the government could not interfere with the judge’s decision because Indonesia applies the trias politica system, which separates the judicial, legislative, and executive authorities. Purnomo stressed that the Indonesian military would work in accordance with human rights.
Concerning separatism, however, Purnomo said the military would not compromise. “We will ban the hoisting of the Free Papua Organization (OPM) flag,” he said. According to Purnomo, Panetta understood this and shared the same view.
Last Wednesday, the police shut down the third Papuan Congress in Jayapura. Six people were killed while another six were named as suspects. Participants at the congress declared independence from Indonesia and hoisted the Morning Star Flag. The police are still pursuing the committee and several independence leaders have been charged with treason.
Last Friday, three people were shot dead by an unidentified person at PT Freeport’s construction site in Timika.
National Police spokesman Comm. Boy Rafli Amar said the situation in Papua and Timika had improved. “There haven’t been any more suspects,” he said yesterday, adding the police and the military were still chasing the shooting perpetrator in Timika.
Purnomo said that during his meeting with Panetta, he explained Indonesia’s policy for developing defense equipment. “I told him about our effort to modernize our military post 1998 reform,” he said, adding the US welcomed this plan and offered assistance.
“They said they will exist in the Asia-Pacific despite budget cuts in the defense sector,” said Purnomo. The minister said the US also supported the establishment of the ASEAN Security Community in 2015.