Westnoken.com – The deep problems that are currently occurring in Papua further emphasize the urgency for handling acts of violence committed by the Papuan Terrorist Separatist Group (KSTP). The cruelty they show not only takes the lives of innocent people, but also threatens and hinders development and the realization of peace in Papua. Therefore, protecting Papua from this threat is an unavoidable obligation. Until now, the government is still trying to resolve the Papua problem in various ways, including through persuasive dialogue. However, this approach often ends in failure due to the uncooperative attitude of KSTP and always showing resistance. Efforts to achieve peace are often hampered by the ego of a small group who always try to defend their radical views or separatism. The complexity of this situation is further complicated by the spread of fake news that is deliberately developed by the KSTP Group. They deliberately spread false narratives, especially regarding allegations of violence masterminded by TNI/Polri officers against the people of Papua.
The strategy used is deliberately used to manipulate public opinion, by creating the view that Papuans are disturbed and their humanity is trampled on by the security forces. Not only that, KSTP is also involved in the practice of playing victim. They meticulously play the victim role, creating a situation as if they are the oppressed and attacked. This kind of narrative becomes their weapon to gain sympathy support from both within and outside the country. By creating a constant discourse of injustice, they try to position themselves as those who fight for justice. This is the case with the recent statement made by Sebby Sambom who claimed to be a spokesperson for the TPNPB OPM through various online and social media platforms.
They claimed responsibility for the attack on the Satgas Mobile Yon 7 Marines of the TNI-AL in Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Mountains, on Monday, August 21 2023. They stated that the OPM TPNPB had succeeded in killing 5 TNI members. This statement is very far from the facts that actually happened and this has been confirmed by the Papua Police Chief, Inspector General Mathius D Fahiri. In this tragedy, only one member of the TNI in the name of Pratu Agung Pramudi Laksono (27), a member of the Mobile Yon 7 Marines of the Indonesian Navy, became an innocent victim and died for the sake of creating security and peace in Papua. The fake news or hoaxes that are deliberately spread by KST Papua aim to create an image that they are stronger, to bully and weaken the spirit of the security forces (TNI/Polri), and to show their existence in the eyes of the international community. This situation reminds us of the importance of serious and continuous action in responding to the actions of the Papuan Separatist Group.
Firm law enforcement must be a priority, while maintaining communication and a persuasive approach whose ultimate goal is to create a Papua that is prosperous, safe and peaceful for all its citizens. In this case, the active participation of the Papuan people in this effort has a very important and irreplaceable role. Apart from that, no less important, the public must also be more observant and alert to fake news and information spread by the Papuan Separatist Group, so that people are not easily instigated and provoked by this fake news and information.