Wamena – The Indigenous People’s Institution (LMA) of Tanah Papua is strengthening its institutional presence in Highland Papua (Papeg) to support the creation of a safe and peaceful environment regarding public security and order in the region.
Lenis Kogoya, Chairman of LMA Tanah Papua, stated in Wamena on Thursday that this initiative aims to reinforce institutional structures at both the provincial and regency levels in Highland Papua, thereby fostering safe and peaceful public order.
“The presence of the LMA aims to assist the government in supporting all programs and policies; the LMA must be at the forefront of maintaining security in Tanah Papua—specifically in Highland Papua—so that the desired development and prosperity can be realized,” said Lenis Kogoya, who also serves as a Special Staffer to the Indonesian Minister of Defense on the Sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), during the opening of the LMA consultation meeting for Highland Papua.
According to Lenis, in addition to the consultation meeting, they will appoint a Chairman for LMA Highland Papua, whose duty will be to synergize with the local government to accelerate development in the region.
“We want to emphasize that the Chairman of LMA Highland Papua is appointed, unlike the LMA Chairmen at the regency level, who must be elected. We want the LMA to become a strategic partner to the government in driving positive change in Highland Papua,” he said.
He explained that the main points to be discussed during the meeting concern customary justice and the customary laws that will apply throughout the Highland Papua region.
“Social conflicts occur frequently, so we will discuss customary justice regarding issues such as homicide and tribal warfare, aiming to determine how to resolve these problems so they do not drag on, ensuring Highland Papua remains safe and peaceful,” he said.
He added that a key focus is the position of indigenous communities in facing security disturbances caused by armed criminal groups (KKB) in the Highland Papua region. “The current security situation is extremely serious, with the KKB having designated the Highland Papua region a ‘red zone’ or war zone. Therefore, we must strengthen the role of customary institutions so they can assist the government and security forces—the TNI and Polri—in preventing criminal acts committed by the KKB,” he said.
