REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - The government will deploy military and police aircraft to transport logistics to Papua since Susi Air and Trigana Air are not yet operating following a recent shooting at Mulia airport. "If they are not operating we will send military or police aircraft to replace them at Mulia," head of the Papua and West Papua Development Acceleration Unity (UP4B), Bambang Darmono, told newsmen at the vice presidential palace here on Thursday.
He made the statement after reporting the UP4B performance to the vice president at a meeting which was also attended by Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Law Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa, Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi, Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto, State Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan, Deputy Finance Minister Anny Ratnawati, and Deputy Minister of National Development Planning Lukita Tuwo.
He said Trigana Air and Susi Air had not yet begun operating in Puncak Jaya because airline officials believe security has not yet been guaranteed. A Twin Otter belonging to Trigana Air was shot at by unknown gunmen on April 8, 2012 at Mulia airport in Puncak Jaya, Papua, leaving one passenger dead and four wounded.
Bambang Darmono said the local police have provided a security guarantee to the two flight operators in Papua, though they still have not resumed operations. He said the police would increase security at the airport to assure security.
He added that distribution of goods and logistics from and to Puncak Jaya had been disrupted after the two flight operators stopped their services. In Papua, goods and logistics are mostly distributed by plane due to geographical conditions of the region.
"To make the disruption not last longer we will deploy military aircraft to deliver goods to Puncak Jaya," he said.
He noted that in the first three months in office he had dealt with various issues, including rejection of the UP4B, holding local elections, conducting Papua dialogs, conflicts over traditional rights, and settlement of corruption cases.
Other issues include classic problems faced by Papua and West Papua, such as lack of infrastructure, minimum availability of education and health services, and the urgent need of opening isolated regions. "A correct formula is needed to settle conflicts over traditional rights because all investments have been hindered by these problems," he said.
Vice President Boediono expressed appreciation for the UP4B moves and called on all ministries and institutions to reaffirm their commitment to allocating programs and resources for the development of Papua. He also hoped access roads would be built, such as between Agats and Wamena, to help smooth the distribution of goods and services to the population.
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