Dewi Nurita, Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto refused to establish a formal meeting with the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP). He opined such a meeting might be seen as the government's recognition for the group.

"There should not be a similar acknowledgment between legal government and rebel. That can't be like that," said Wiranto in his office, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, September 24.

The former military commander explained his side would still open possibilities to communicate with the group that demands independence referendum. However, he stopped short of mentioning other approaches other than a formal meeting.

As reported earlier, the Indonesian government accused Benny Wenda, the ULMWP head, as the mastermind behind a string of riots in Papua and West Papua since August 2019 to date.

The police also suspected the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) and Papuan Student Association contributed in the riots.

"It is (their involvements) real, not a fabrication. That was what encouraged anarchist demonstration. It's clear, it's been proven there was foreign and domestic intervention," Wiranto said.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1251953/wiranto-refuses-to-meet-west-papua-liberation-movement-group