TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) has denied a statement by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) claiming that four of its members pledged allegiance to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
TPNPB-OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom said the four individuals in question are not part of their group but are junior high school students at Sinak Public Middle School in Puncak Regency, Papua.
"The truth is that the four youths are students at SMP Negeri 1 Sinak. They are not our members," he said in a statement issued Saturday, July 12, 2025.
The denial was issued after TPNPB received a report from Deputy Commander of Defense Regional Command (Kodap) XXVII Sinak, Major General Teni Kulua, regarding the incident.
According to the report, four youths were detained by Koramil 1717-02/Sinak personnel and later said to have pledged loyalty to Republic of Indonesia.
The individuals named were Yopi Tabuni, Erenus Tabuni, Kilistus Murib, and Endan Tabuni. They were reportedly associated with the group led by Tenius Kulua and Kalenak Murib.
The oath-taking ceremony took place in the courtyard of the Koramil 1717-02/Sinak office on Wednesday, July 9. During the event, the four individuals took an oath, signed documents, and saluted the Indonesian flag as a symbol of rejoining the nation.
However, Sebby Sambom presented a different account, including names and ages. According to him, the individuals are Eden Tabuni (17), a third-year student; Eranus Tabuni (18), in second year; Yopi Tabuni (17), also in second year; and Kilitus Murib (12), in first year at SMPN 1 Sinak.
He stated that none of them appear in the membership records of Kodap XXVII Sinak, whether at the post, battalion, company, or headquarters level.
TPNPB accused the TNI of fabricating the incident to maintain a favorable image in Papua and justify operational funding. They urged military personnel stationed in the region to stop spreading misinformation.
"Stop deceiving the public, even deceiving the President and the TNI Commander," Sebby said.
Tempo reached out to TNI Chief of Information Major General Kristomei Sianturi and Head of Information for the Cenderawasih Regional Military Command Infantry Colonel Candra Kurniawan, but had not received a response at the time of publication.
Previously, Kristomei confirmed that the four individuals were members of TPNPB-OPM. "Yes, they are," he said in a statement on Thursday night.
Kristomei described the event as part of a humanistic and dialog-based effort to resolve conflict in Papua. "The TNI carries out its duties by upholding the principles of legality, caution, and protection of civilians," he said.
He also emphasized that anyone who abandons violence deserves support to build a peaceful and dignified future in Papua. "We always welcome anyone who wants to return to the embrace of the motherland," he added.
Separately, Chief of the Cartenz Peace Operation, Brigadier General Police Faizal Ramadhani, said the return of former OPM members to NKRI was the result of collective efforts.
"The return to the embrace of NKRI is not a stand-alone process, but the result of synergy from all elements – security forces, government, and local figures. We believe that a safe and prosperous Papua can be realized through an approach that touches the heart," Faizal said in an official statement on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
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