Jakarta – Former state secretary under former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, Bondan Gunawan, says he believes the daily allowances that PT Freeport Indonesia gives to the police have an indirect effect on the conflict in Papua.

"It will make the law enforcers side with the foreign company," Bondan said on Saturday during a discussion called "A Never-Ending Conflict in Papua".

Bondan said the money was supposed to be distributed through the regional or central administrations with clear accountability. "If it isn't, we must question its accountability," he said.

National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo previously admitted that some police officers stationed in Papua received daily allowances and lunches from US-based PT Freeport Indonesia. However, he did not elaborate on the amount.

"The most important thing is [police] accountability," said Timur after joint antiterror training at the military headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Friday.

He added that the operational costs for police officers stationed in Papua did not fully come from the company, because the government had also allocated funds for the security operation in the easternmost province of Indonesia.

He said the money from Freeport was considered an additional allowance, since the cost of living in the conflict-riddled area was high. "Security in Papua, including for PT Freeport, is included in the police's operations that are supported and funded by the state," Timur said.

He added that if the secured party gave allowances or lunches to the officers while doing their jobs, "I guess we can take responsibility for their accountability."