Nethy Dharma Somba and Dicky Christanto, Papua, Jakarta – Maj. Gen. Erwin Syafitri, the former deputy chief of the Army's Strategic Intelligence Agency, assumed command of the Cendrawasih Military Command in Papua on Tuesday.

Erwin, a native of Cimahi, West Java, was assigned to posts in Papua between 1982 and 1991. "I've spent half of my career here," he said on Tuesday.

Mufti Makarim, the executive director of Institute for Defense and Security Studies (IDSPS) said Erwin's appointment might reflect more than a regular personnel rotation.

"A region like Papua, which is often full of surprises, should be protected by a military commander with a capacity for intelligence [work] in order to be able to detect any potential conflict later on," Mufti told The Jakarta Post.

There have been several conflicts – some fatal – between local residents, the National Police and the Army in the last year. Erwin replaces Maj. Gen. Erfi Triassunu, who is set to become a staff expert for the Army Chief of Staff.