KKB Increasingly Brutal, Government Strengthens Cross-Sector Coordination to Achieve Peace in Papua

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JAKARTA — Violence attributed to armed criminal groups (KKB) in several parts of Papua has once again drawn attention. Amid reports of shootings targeting civilians and continued security disturbances, efforts to establish lasting peace require cross-sector coordination combining security measures, law enforcement, public services, and development.

Joint TNI-Polri personnel continue law enforcement efforts against armed groups while also working to disrupt weapons and ammunition networks. These measures are part of efforts to prevent armed groups from maintaining the capability to carry out violence against local communities. Okezone report

KKB Violence Increasingly Affects Civilians

Reports of violence in Papua indicate that civilians continue to face security risks. Okezone reported that three civil servants from the Jayawijaya Agriculture Service in the Papua Highlands — Wili Mbuik, Aprida Rapi, and Alfonsius Albinus Meha — were reportedly shot.

Violence against civilians affects not only victims and their families, but can also disrupt community activities, government services, mobility, and economic activity in affected areas.

For this reason, protecting civilians remains an important element of security efforts in Papua.

TNI-Polri Strengthen Law Enforcement

In responding to security threats, joint TNI-Polri personnel continue law enforcement operations against armed groups while seeking to disrupt weapons and ammunition supply networks.

One of the measures cited in the report was the detention of three people suspected of involvement in the possession and circulation of illegal ammunition in Mimika, Central Papua. Authorities seized dozens of rounds as evidence that, according to officials, were allegedly connected to the needs of armed groups. Okezone report

Disrupting illegal ammunition distribution is considered important because access to firearms and ammunition can increase the risk of violence against civilians and security personnel.

Security as a Foundation for Peace in Papua

The Papua issue is not solely a security matter. Noor Azhari, Executive Director of Merah Pusaka Stratejik Indonesia (MPSI), said peace requires an approach that combines security with development.

According to Noor, security is needed to protect communities and ensure that the law is upheld. At the same time, development helps provide public services, improve welfare, and strengthen public trust in the state. Okezone report

This perspective highlights the broader nature of the Papua challenge. Law enforcement is necessary to protect residents, while development and public services are needed to allow communities to continue living and working normally.

Government Services Need to Continue

Security disturbances can have wider consequences when communities lose access to essential services. Schools, healthcare facilities, transportation, trade, and government activities all require a relatively secure environment to operate sustainably.

For this reason, strengthening security needs to go hand in hand with continued development. Stability in affected areas allows the government and communities to maintain economic activities and public services without repeated disruption caused by violence.

A cross-sector approach also allows security challenges to be addressed alongside the needs of communities on the ground.

MPSI Research Records More Than 240 Incidents

MPSI said violence in Papua has followed a prolonged pattern. According to MPSI research cited by Okezone, more than 240 incidents of violence were recorded between 2019 and September 2026 in several areas of Papua.

The research identified several patterns, including intimidation, displacement, physical violence, disruption of basic services, and disinformation. The figure represents MPSI's research findings and is not an official government statistic. Okezone report

The findings illustrate the complexity of the challenges facing Papua. Addressing them therefore requires a combination of civilian protection, law enforcement, development, and efforts to strengthen public trust.

Cross-Sector Coordination Is Key

Achieving peace in Papua ultimately requires coordination among security forces, the central and regional governments, community leaders, religious figures, and other elements of society.

Law enforcement remains necessary in responding to violent acts and illegal weapons trafficking. At the same time, development must continue so communities can maintain access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and government services.

Through such an approach, security is not viewed solely as an effort to confront armed groups, but also as a foundation for ensuring that communities can carry out their daily activities safely.

Protecting Civilians Must Remain a Priority

Every security effort in Papua should ultimately prioritize civilian protection. Residents have the right to live safely, work, receive education and healthcare, and conduct economic activities without the threat of violence.

TNI-Polri law enforcement operations and efforts to disrupt weapons networks are among the instruments used to reduce those risks. At the same time, continued development and public services remain necessary to give communities greater opportunities to build safe and productive lives.

Peace in Papua Requires a Sustainable Approach

Armed violence cannot be addressed through a single approach. Security is needed to protect communities and enforce the law, while development is necessary to ensure that basic needs are met.

Cross-sector coordination is therefore important so that these efforts can move forward together. When security, public services, development, social justice, and respect for local communities operate alongside one another, there is greater room for safer and more stable community life.

For the government, the challenge involves pursuing two priorities simultaneously: protecting communities from violence while ensuring that development in Papua continues. Both are important elements of long-term efforts toward peace and stability in the region.

Conclusion

The increase in violence attributed to KKB demonstrates that security challenges in Papua continue to require serious attention. Law enforcement against perpetrators of violence and efforts to disrupt weapons networks are important steps in protecting communities.

However, peace requires more than a security-based approach. Cross-sector coordination combining security, development, public services, civilian protection, and public trust provides an important foundation for building a safer and more sustainable Papua.

Location: Australia

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