Reasons for Egianus Kogoya Attacking Trans Papua Workers: Want to Separate from RI

Photo: Bridge Location of Shooting of Trans Papua workers. (Special / Directorate General of Highways of the Ministry of PUPR)

Jayapura- Why did the Egianus Kogoya group massacre Trans Papua workers? A spokesman for the group calling itself the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) finally spoke. The reason is that Papua wants to separate from Indonesia.

TPNPB spokesman Sebby Sambom said, long before the horrific shootings in Nduga, they had warned that the construction of the Trans Papua road would not continue.

"So in Yigi it was not a massacre, not a death sentence like what the TNI-Police said. It was an attack," said TPNPB spokesman Sebby Sambom when contacted by AFP on Thursday (12/06/2018).

Last year, TPNPB attacked the TNI and warned that the construction of the Trans Papua road would not continue. But the project went on so they were angry and attacked.

When mentioned the construction of the road for the welfare of Papuans, Sebby said that his side did not need development that was driven by the Indonesian government. Sebby emphasized the problem that occurred in Papua was not a matter of welfare, but a political problem. So this group led by Egianus Kogoya rejected all forms of development.

They also don't want to compromise on any offer. They only have one claim that threatens the integrity of the Indonesian people, which is to separate themselves from this republic. "Give us the opportunity to be independent," he said.

National Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian previously said that the number of armed criminal groups (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya was no more than 50 people. The number of weapons owned by the group is around 20 firearms.

"At this time we are sending a joint team of the Indonesian National Police, led directly by the Regional Police Chief and the Regional Military Commander to move there. Their strength is not much, at least 30-50 people with 20 shoots," Tito said at the State Palace, Central Jakarta on Wednesday (5 / 12).

Meanwhile, the Presidential Chief of Staff (KSP) Moeldoko said 154 joint personnel from the TNI and Polri had been sent to secure the location of shooting of bridge project workers on the Trans Papua route. Moeldoko wants the local community to feel safe.

"154 TNI-Polri were sent for recovery. We don't want the people there to feel the situation is uncertain. Feeling unsafe and comfortable," Moeldoko told reporters at his office, Jalan Veteran, Jakarta, Wednesday (5/12).