Jayapura – Military Resort 172/PWY Commander Brig. Gen. Izak Pangemanan welcomed a new deployment of the military to secure Indonesia-PNG borders on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at a Navy port at the base in Jayapura, Papua.

Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) borders on land include Jayapura, Keerom, Pegunungan Bintang, Boven Digoel, and Merauke regencies. The military lingo for personnel securing borders is "Satgas Pamtas"

According to Antara news agency, Izak, on behalf of the Cenderawasih Military Commander XVII, welcomed Infantry Battalion (Yonif) 131/BRS, Yonif 512/QY, and Yonif 403/WP on Tuesday, saying that as a new deployment the soldiers had to master the geographic conditions in Papua as well the political situation.

Yonif 131 is based in West Sumatra, Yonif 512 in Surabaya, East Java, Yonif 403 in Yogyakarta. A press release from Military Resort 172/PWY published on the Indonesian Military (TNI) website said that in total, 1,350 soldiers on two war ships berthed in Jayapura on March 9. The release said the three battalions replaced three that had been securing the borders since July last year.

In July 2020, 1,350 personnel from Yonif 413/BRM, Yonif Raider 100/PS and Yonif 312/KH arrived in Jayapura.

A video on Tik Tok made by @pasukan_artur24 showed the situation when the soldiers just arrived in a port in Jayapura on March 9, 2021."Apply the knowledge you learned before the deployment so you could serve here, for the sake of unity, sovereignty, and the security of the United State of Republic of Indonesia (NKRI)," said general Izak as quoted by Antara.

Izak said in a release from Army information department that the personnel had been trained in agriculture, husbandy, fisheries, and plantation knowledge. Izak said they were also trained so they could help the people in health and education.

The general led a ceremony to welcome the fresh deployment and said farewell to the old ones. He called on the soldiers to use humanity's approach without forgetting the security approach.

"I hope the soldiers would maintain and develop loyalty, solidarity and esprit de corps during the duty. Bring good things to the people, understand the character, culture, and the local wisdom," he went on.

He said besides securing the borders, the soldiers should also campaign for the new health protocols concerning Covid-19 pandemic.

Source: https://en.jubi.co.id/1350-military-indonesia-png-borders