JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Thousands personnels of the joint security forces from the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Police will secure President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo during his two-day visit in Papua. Jokowi will also join the Christmas celebration in the province.
According to Commander of the Military Area XVII Cendrawasih (Pangdam) Maj. Gen. Fransen G. Siahaan, TNI has prepared two infantry battalions to secure Jokowi’s visit. While Papua Police office will deploy 4,000 personnel.
As reported earlier, President Jokowi decided to stick to attend a joint national Christmas celebration, the very first time conducted in Papua on Dec. 27.
Other than that, Jokowi also schedules to visit some regions in the province during his state visit.
Some Church leaders in Papua, however, rejected Jokowi’s visit referring to December 8 shooting incident in Enarotali of the district of Paniai, which caused the death of five Papuans. The Church leaders urge Jokowi to adequately address the incident first.(haryantosuharman@yosefardi.com)