Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Head of the Information Center of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Major General Kristomei Sianturi said the military will anticipate potential attacks by the Free Papua Movement (OPM) targeting doctors in conflict-prone areas. He stated that the military will collaborate with the police and local government.
According to him, protecting doctors serving in the red zone of Papua is mandatory. He emphasized that doctors and healthcare workers are on a humanitarian mission to promote public health.
"They must be protected from all threats. We will anticipate," said Kristomei when contacted on Sunday, July 27, 2025.
He urged the public and healthcare workers to remain calm in response to the potential attacks. He stated that the people in Papua have reported and provided information to the military about the existence of separatist groups.
The two-star general also mentioned that the OPM's threats have raised awareness among the public about the danger posed by armed groups. "From these threats, the Papuan people are aware of who is genuinely working to improve their well-being, and who the real terrorists are who oppress the people," Kristomei said.
In a separate statement, Colonel (Infantry) Candra Kurniawan, the Chief of Information of the Cenderawasih Military Command, stated that no additional troops will be assigned to protect doctors and healthcare workers in Papua. The security will be carried out by military personnel currently stationed in several conflict areas.
Candra stated that doctors and healthcare workers in Papua are civilians, not part of the military, as alleged by the OPM. Therefore, he emphasized the need to protect the doctors from threats posed by separatist groups.
"To protect the doctors, we are monitoring the activities of doctors and hospitals on duty," said Candra on Sunday, July 27, 2025.
The TNI is also conducting public outreach in Papua to educate the people about the importance of doctors' presence and constructing hospitals in the Land of Cendrawasih.
Prior to this, the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) announced their intention to attack doctors working in several hospitals in conflict areas in Papua.
The warning from TPNPB-OPM was in response to the collaboration between the Indonesian Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Defense, in which both ministries agreed to involve the TNI in hospital construction, the provision of a healthcare workforce, and hospital security in Papua.
Sebby Sambom, spokesperson for TPNPB-OPM, claimed that his forces in 36 defense command regions in Papua are ready to launch the attacks. He accused the doctors of no longer being civilian healthcare workers but military personnel of Indonesia.
"They are no longer civilian healthcare workers but military personnel of Indonesia deployed in Papua by President Prabowo Subianto," he said in an official statement on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
– Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article