JAYAPURA, SUARAPAPUA.com— The Solidarity Team of Caring for the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples of the Central Highlands of Papua (SIKAP -TP) firmly rejects the plan to build the Military Regional Command (KODAM) and Military District Command (KOREM) in Asologaima district and Silo Karno Doga district, Jayawijaya district which Alex Doga continues to push, Hobo Holago supported by the TNI military institution.
Stevanus Doga, representative of the Omarikmo indigenous people, Silo Karno Doga district and Asologaima district, said that his party has rejected the plan to build Korem and Kodam in their area, both from the community with regional and students
However, the development plan continues to be forced by those who want to destroy the customary land of the local community.
“The construction of the Kodam and Korem does not bring benefits to the local community, and there is no benefit for the survival of the indigenous people there. Therefore the team has firmly rejected the development plan, ”said Doga, Tuesday (22/9/2020).
He added that this rejection had been done by all elements of society in Jayawijaya, Jayapura till Jakarta.
“We are still in our stance and our commitment to reject all forms of development that undermine the order of indigenous peoples on customary lands by the TNI military agency.”
“The reason for this rejection is because the presence of the Korem and Kodim does not have a positive impact on the indigenous people there because the land for the Huwula people is our mother for life. Without money, we can live, but without land, we can’t live, ”he said.
Father Edi Doga, a church representative, said that the five top church leaders in Papua, Catholicism, GKI, Baptist, GIDI, and Kingmi have agreed to reject the construction of military headquarters on indigenous people’s lands throughout Papua.
“In any form that endangers the people or congregation, the church must speak out for the safety of the indigenous people in Papua, therefore five church leaders in Papua reject this in any form,” he said.
What has happened recently is that the Korem will be built, so the church has committed to rejecting the construction plan because the safety of the people and maintaining the fate of the people is in the hands of the church.
Thus, the church firmly rejects the plan to build Korem and Kodam in Jayawijaya Regency and the church must speak out.
Uncen Academic Representative, Andius Elokpere added that the Korem development plan must be reviewed in the field because the aim of the Korem development is to protect the people but the conditions and situation there [Wamena] are safe, so Korem should not be built.
“The presence of the Korem or Kodam in Jayawijaya will disturb the psychology of the community in their daily life, especially in carrying out activities, it will be disrupted.
“It will be limited, so I asked the Indonesian government to review the development plan, and personally I said it was not feasible and refused,” he said.
Yoni Walela, General Coordinator of the Solidarity Team for the Concern for the Rights of the Indigenous People of the Middle Mountains of Papua (SIKAP -TP) in a statement emphasized that he rejected the plan to build Korem in Silo Karno Doga district, Jayawijaya Regency.
He also said that his party refused forces to the parents there by the TNI to build Korem in the Silo Karno Doga and Asologaima districts.
“Refusing any development offers that damage the natural environment in the Silo Karno Doga district, Asologaima and all Jayawijaya regencies. As well as rejecting the government’s legitimacy for the construction of Korem in the Silo Karno Doga and Asologaima districts without the full consent of the indigenous peoples, “said Walela.
He also emphasized that if the Korem development plan continues to be forced and occurs in the Silo Karno Doga and Asologaima districts, then his party will carry out physical resistance together with the parents.
“So the government is legitimizing the program and the TNI which enforces the will of our parents who will be responsible for all the consequences.”
Reporter: Agus Pabika
Editor: Elisa Sekenyap
