TNI Responds to Controversial Photo of Soldier Holding Gun in Front of Papua Church

CNN Indonesia

Monday, 12 Jun 2023 08:33 WIB

Jakarta, CNNIndonesia —

Head of Information for Kodam XVII / Cenderawasih Colonel Kav Herman Taryaman opened his voice about the circulation of photos of members TNI holding a weapon in front of a church in the Mapenduma District, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains.

Herman said the photo was taken while the soldier was serving at Mapenduma in 2019.

“That photo of a TNI soldier posing in front of a Kingmi Church located in Mapenduma occurred in 2019 when the soldier was on duty in Mapenduma, Nduga Regency,” Herman said in a written statement, Monday (12/6).

Herman denied the notion that the soldier’s action with the weapon was to insult a place of worship.

“However, the TNI soldier took the picture because he wanted to show that he had served in the Mapenduma area, Nduga Regency,” he said.

However, he said the soldier had been given disciplinary action.

Herman also explained that no church was touched by the TNI except to help provide a sense of security to the community that performed worship.

“In carrying out their duties, the TNI is at their post, as emphasized by the Regional Military Commander XVII/Cenderawasih Major General Izak Pangemanan to every soldier carrying out their duties to always prioritize communication, create a sense of peace and avoid bloodshed,” he said.

One of the photos of TNI members holding up their weapons in front of this church was uploaded by former Komnas HAM member Natalius Pigai on his personal Twitter account.

Pigai also wrote a statement that the TNI was making fun of and harassing the church. However, he did not include information on when the photo was taken.

CNNIndonesia.com have asked Pigai for confirmation about the photo, but have not received a response.

(yoa/from)