Jayapura, Jubi – Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said a military operation was a last resort for to overcome the insurgency in Papua.

"We can have military operation at any time, but it is a last option," said the minister in Jayapura on Tuesday (29/3/2016).

Besides, he added, President Joko Widodo was unlikely to approve the option, because he wanted the government to take a welfare approach. "President isn't comfortable with the option. He emphasized the welfare approach is still the best option," he said.

The welfare approach, said the minister, is considered the most effective because people were prosperous the security would be more improved. Therefore, he appealed to the opposite parties to come down and join the government to build Papua.

"To those in the highland who are still making trouble, please come down, let us build Papua together. Because the president wanted a welfare approach to resolve the problem in Papua," he said.

In addition, he also refused perceptions of unsecured Papua spreading in some countries. Therefore he asked to both religious and customary leaders to call the opposite parties to come down to build Papua.

"There are rumors abroad saying Papua is a savage region. I think it's not true. We want telling them if they come safely they would go home safely as well. Therefore we also never want to affiliate with military alliance," he said. (Alexander Loen/rom)

Source: http://tabloidjubi.com/eng/luhut-says-military-operation-is-last-resort/