REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono regrets the murders of workers in Nduga, Papua. The scene was the fifth segment of the Trans Papua construction site under the government's focus to improve connectivity in Indonesia's easternmost province.
"The Wamena-Heberna-Kenyam-Mumugu section is the fifth segment of Trans Papua, stretching 278 kilometers," Hadimuljono informed the press here, Tuesday, following a report on the murders of construction workers building a bridge in Papua.
The road construction work will be completed this year, but the development of 35 bridges is still ongoing. "PT Istaka Karya is building 14 bridges, and the construction work for 11 of them is underway," he revealed.
"Meanwhile, PT Brantas Abipraya Persero is working on the construction of 21 bridges, the work for five of which is underway," he stated.
"The incident being reported this morning occurred in the bridge section," he revealed.
"This will not dampen the spirit to continue to forge ahead. The construction will continue for the sake of ensuring social justice for every Indonesian," the minister remarked.
"We are sending troops regarding the incident and its victims. Hence, I confirm that yes, the incident took place in Wamena in Trans Papua's fifth segment," he stated.
Despite security obstacles, the local community does not object to the Trans Papua development. The ministry has established coordination with the commander of the regional military command (Kodam) in Papua.
"I am waiting for information from the Kodam commander. I will go down there. Right now, we could not as yet confirm the number of the victims -- whether 24 or 31 people -- since it has yet to be checked and confirmed," he revealed.
A group of armed men is believed to have murdered 31 workers at the Trans Papua construction site located in a remote village in Nduga District, Papua Province. The bodies of the victims are still being held by the murderers.
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