REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TIMIKA -- President Joko Widodo can repeatedly visit the country's easternmost province to observe the development process and meet the local government officials and people as Papua is safe, Indonesian Defense Forces Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo stated.

"President Widodo has safely visited Papua several times. Mr. President seems to like going back home to Papua," he informed journalists in connection with the president's working visit here, Friday.

General Nurmantyo affirmed that the safe and secure situation during President Widodo's repeated visits to Papua Province was also the result of the people's participation. During his visits, the head of state also met the people directly in markets or other places.

"During his recent visit to Mapenduma (the capital of Nduga District), for instance, President Widodo went to a market safely. All is safe and secure. So, who says that Papua is not safe? If the people say it is safe, then it is safe," he emphasized.

President Widodo and his entourage are scheduled to arrive in Jayapura, the capital city of Papua Province, on Friday evening at 9 p.m. local time. Soon after his arrival, the head of state is scheduled to open the Torabica Soccer Championship at the Mandala Jayapura Stadium.

A total of 18 clubs, including Arema Cronus FC, Bali United, Persipura-Jayapura, and Persija Jakarta, are participating in the soccer championship. Following the official opening, Persipura will play against Persija.

Besides opening the soccer championship, President Widodo is also scheduled to attend the groundbreaking of a market for female native Papuan traders or Pasar Mama, inaugurate the Doyo Baru market, and visit Pasar Phaara market in Sentani. From Jayapura, he will continue his visit to Sorong in West Papua Province.

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