REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo, through his special staff for communication Johan Budi, denied rumors that the Free Papua Movement has opened a representative office in Wamena, Papua Province.
"I have confirmed it to the coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs and have found that the rumors regarding the establishment of a representative office of the Free Papua Movement (reportedly with the support of several countries) are not true," Johan stated at the State Palace complex here on Wednesday.
According to Johan, the office of the coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs is now coordinating with the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) to implement a persuasive approach.
The presidential spokesman expressed hope that the rumors would not trigger chaos in Papua.
He affirmed that the government disagreed with the separatist movement opening a representative office on behalf of a certain group.
"What is sure is that no representative office of the Free Papua Movement has been opened. There is no such a thing," Johan clarified.
Earlier, rumors were rife about the Free Papua Movement having opened its representative office in Wamena, Jayawijaya District, Papua.
The movement is supported by several countries in the Melanesian region and has established an office in Vanuatu.
Moreover, ten former members of the Free Papua Movement returned to embrace the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and met Papua Regional Police Chief Brig. Gen. Rudolf A. Rojak who was accompanied by Puncak Jaya District head Hanock Ibo.
The government is now continuing to develop Papua to improve the local economy and welfare of the people. The development of the Sorong-Manokwari railway route is one of the initiatives being taken.
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