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Operation Pamungkas

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Operation Pamungkas
Part of Papua conflict
DateJune 1969 - 19 November 1970
Location
Papua
Result Indonesian government victory
Belligerents
 Republic of West Papua Free Papua Movement
Commanders and leaders
Indonesia Brig.Gen Acub Zaenal Republic of West Papua Ferry Awom  Surrendered
Republic of West Papua Melkianus Awom  Surrendered
Republic of West Papua Nataniel Awom  Surrendered
Strength
1,500 troops
several corvette		 1,000 Papuan rebels
Casualties and losses
Light 536 rebels surrendered  Surrendered

The Operation Pamungkas (Indonesian:Operasi Pamungkas) was an intelligence and military operation launched by the government to suppress the rebellion of Ferry Awom. The operation was executed by soft-line policy and hard-line policy with an objective of halting a fierce fight and crushing Ferry Awom’s rebellion. It also recaptured many rebel territories on Biak. By launching a landing action through rebel territories, the operation resulted in the surrender of Ferry Awom battalions and his followers on Borasi field, Manokwari.

Background

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According to Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih source the Free Papua Movement rebellion inflicted by the failed promises from Dutch government to make Papua as the puppet state after the New York Agreement making the Dutch cede Papua to Indonesia, and the condition in Papua keep worst after an incompetence bureaucracy of Indonesian government in Papua. Also the Indonesian guard security on Papua always buying the luxury items to fortificating themselves this conditions leading the outbreak of Papua conflict.[1][2][3][clarify]

Before operation Pamungkas, the Indonesian Army had launched military operations to crackdown on OPM movements. In 1965, Brigadier general R. Kartidjo launched operation Sadar to expel the OPM movement on Sorong-Manokwari by conducting aerial strikes and collecting the opinion of Papua head clan about the government in Papua.[4][5][6]

In 1966, Brigadier general R. Bintoro launched an operation codenamed "Bharatayudha" to make offensive attacks through Papua to suppress the guerilla activity from Ferry Awom and Lodewijk Mandatjan and weaken their powers. The operation ended with the trauma of Papuan people.[7][8][9][10] After R. Bintoro was replaced, Sarwo Edhie Wibowo launched operation Wibawa to win Act of Free Choice and capture the Lodewijk Mandatjan forces by suppressing his rebellion in many territories.[11][12]

But this operation was not successful in suppressing the Ferry Awom rebellion. And after Acub Zaenal replaced general Sarwo in 1969, he launched a new operation called "Operation Pamungkas" to suppress the Ferry Awom rebellion and to capture him. In this operation, he faced two rebellions in Biak and Manokwari.[13][14]

Operations

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Acub Zaenal increased the infantry numbers of Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih by 15% to 50% and provided troop accommodations such as barracks. This increase resulted in 9 Military District Commands (Kodim) and 3 Military Area Commands (Korem). The combat operation unit was led by Major R.A Hendrik, and the territorial operation unit was led by Captain Soeratman.[15][16] Acub Zaenal and his forces moved through North Biak and occupied Arwom Lama and Wambrisau. Meanwhile in West Biak, the team intelligence landed on Swaipak then moved to east side of Mardori and Mendederi for waiting KI-753 troops. A team led by Warrant officer Talahatu landed on Opuri; in this action the Talahatu team managed to contact the enemy, but the rebels had already retreated to other places.[17][18][19]

In the next action, the platoon on North Mandori successfully occupied the places around the beaches. The platoon that landed in many territories doing a purge through landing places also conducted pursuit of the rebels on Perwon Lama and liberated the civilians from rebel pressure and terror attacks. These actions resulted in the capture of most rebel troops, such as Jacob Bonsapia, Domingus and others.[20][21][22]

Danrem 171[clarify] giving an order to capture Ferry Awom and his troops. The commander of this operation was Major Ahmad who was later replaced by Lieutenant colonel S. Mardjan. Operation Pamungkas was executed with soft policy and hard policy. Soft policy carried out with the ultimatum for rebels to surrender and hard policy launched military raids to rebel headquarters. The hardline policy ran out when Ferry Awom leading the revolt on Manokwari. Acub Zaenal gave a deadline time to Ferry Awom, but Ferry declined to surrender. With the decline by Ferry Awom, Acub Zaenal launched a pursuer operation with the objective to capture Ferry Awom and his forces.[23][24][25][26]

The first wave of operation failed to capture Ferry Awom forces, and then in a second wave of the operation, they received information about Ferry Awom's stepfather, Abraham Saiba. The information was received when Lodewijk Mandatjan and Abraham Saiba surrendered, but Lodewijk did not explain about Abraham Saiba's hideout. Arriving at his hideout, the forces found Abraham Saiba infected by Malaria. However, Abraham Saiba couldn't speak Indonesia language, and Lodewijk gave a message to Abraham. Lodewijk was nervous about Abraham's condition and asked the forces to give Abraham a guarantee of security. When Ferry Awom learned that his stepfather was captured by Indonesian troops, he decided to surrender with his forces.[27][28][29]

Aftermath

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On 2 October 1970, Captain Sahala and his team began a hunting action on Majambo. In this action, they realized Abraham had a strong influence around the territory and many of the chieftains agreed to help Abraham to capture Ferry Awom. The Ferry Awom places eventually known at Sauguma. In the first contact, they sent a message to Ferry Awom for surrender, but he still hesitated. In the second contact, Captain Sahala and Abraham came to Ferry Awom's base to negotiate surrender, and finally he agreed to surrender.[30]

On 19 November 1970, Ferry Awom and his forces surrendered at Borasi field, when Ferry gave the pistol to Acub Zaenal. Acub realized the pistol still had ammunition, but Awom did not use the pistol to shoot the general; instead, he just wanted to surrender to the government side. This surrender action was followed by many legendary rebels in Papua: Imbiri, Joseph Inden, and Fadhihan. The surrender action proved the effectiveness of soft line and hard line policy in this operation.[31][32]

References

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  1. ^ Nurwina, Hendrowinoto (1998). Acub Zainal: I love the Army. Yayasan Biografi Indonesia. p. 81. ISBN 978-979-416-516-4.
  2. ^ Nurwina 1998, p. 82.
  3. ^ Taufik, Ridho (1972). Kodam XVII/Tjenderawasih dan Irian Barat dewasa ini / Dinas Sejarah Militer, Komando Daerah Militer XVII/ Cenderawasih (in Indonesian). Markas TNI Angkatan Darat. p. 300.
  4. ^ Johannes, Djopari (1993). Pemberontakan Organisasi Papua Merdeka (in Indonesian). Gramedia. p. 110. ISBN 9789795532279.
  5. ^ Johannes 1993, p. 111.
  6. ^ Amiruddin, Al-Rahab (2017). "Operasi-Operasi Militer Di Papua Pagar Makan Tanaman". Kemdikbud.id: 9.
  7. ^ Johannes 1993, p. 125.
  8. ^ Johannes 1993, p. 126.
  9. ^ Johannes 1993, p. 127-128.
  10. ^ Amiruddin 2017, p. 9.
  11. ^ Amiruddin 2017, p. 10.
  12. ^ Amiruddin 2017, p. 11.
  13. ^ Nurwina 1998, p. 83-84.
  14. ^ Alexander, Lubangaol (1978). Penumpasan Pemberontakan Separatisme di Indonesia (in Indonesian). Markas Besar TNI Angkatan Darat. p. 291.
  15. ^ Nurwina 1998, p. 84.
  16. ^ Alexander 1978, p. 237-239.
  17. ^ Nurwina 1998, p. 84-85.
  18. ^ Alexander 1978, p. 239.
  19. ^ Alexander 1978, p. 240.
  20. ^ Nurwina 1998, p. 86.
  21. ^ Alexander 1978, pp. 240–241.
  22. ^ Alexander 1978, pp. 242–243.
  23. ^ Nurwina 1998, p. 87.
  24. ^ Alexander 1978, p. 294.
  25. ^ Alexander 1978, p. 290.
  26. ^ Alexander 1978, p. 295.
  27. ^ Nurwina 1998, p. 88.
  28. ^ Alexander 1978, p. 298.
  29. ^ Johannes 1993, p. 158.
  30. ^ Nurwina 1998, p. 89.
  31. ^ Taufik 1972, p. 245.
  32. ^ Nurwina 1998, p. 77.
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