Markus Makur, Timika – Members of the House of Representatives Commission I on security and defense affairs have accused security authorities of being not transparent in handling a series of attacks on PT Freeport Indonesia.
The accusation came as the 23 lawmakers paid a two-day visit to Mimika, Papua, specifically to the Freeport gold and copper mining area, following the attacks. The visit was partly to observe security along the route from Timika to the mining site in Tembagapura.
During a dialogue with Mimika Regent Klemen Tinal and police and military leaders in Timika on the sidelines of the visit Tuesday, the legislators asked about the progress in finding the perpetrators and investigating the motive behind the attacks.
In reply, Mimika Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Mohammad Sagi said the police were still investigating the shooting incidents and that the National Police often sent special teams to handle the cases.
Dissatisfied with Sagi's response, Commission I member Max Sopacua from the Democratic Party demanded "transparency" in handling the shootings. "I did not get a rational response from the Mimika Police chief about the investigation into the shootings at PT Freeport."
Another Commission I member Major. Gen. (ret.) Salim Mengga said every party must be transparent in handling the issue in order to create a favorable situation in Papua.
A Commission I member from the Golkar Party, Paskalis Kosay, said security had been increased at the mining site, adding that if security personnel failed to uncover the true identities of the gunmen behind the attacks, he, along with the Mimika regent, the Mimika legislative council speaker and the people of the regency would chase the perpetrators up to the jungle edge.
Mimika Military Command chief Let. Col. Refrizal said his command was involved in the Amole Timika III security task force and provided troops for the unit to surmount the series of shootings in the mining area. His command was also often involved in village community activities supported by the Mimika regency administration, he added.
Conflict in Papua has been in the international spotlight, with the international community viewing Papua as not safe.
During the legislators' visit, large numbers of troops and armored vehicles were seen conducting patrols at the vital national asset. Some lawmakers acknowledged they felt intimidated when they were traveling the route and noticed troops and armored cars on the alert.
"The tight security was due to the series of shootings which took place a few months ago along the route," legislator Roy Suryo Notodiprojo said.
Salim Mengga said the high security and beefed-up patrols along the route to the mining site in Mimika should have given the impression of a situation conducive to security. However, the lawmakers apparently said they did not feel safe during the journey from Timika because of the extra-tight security, with around 1,800 members from the Amole Timaka II task force securing the road to the mining area.
Despite the fact Papuans have been the victims of a number of incidents in the country's most remote province, the shootings at PT Freeport have always been blamed on Free Papua Movement rebels.