Post Courier (PNG) 24/10/08

THE PNG Indonesian border at Wutung in the West Sepik Province is closed although the announcement has not been officially made yet. Authorities confirm that the border has been closed for over a month to the traditional border crossers and general public.

Only passport holders who have genuine reasons to travel there are allowed to cross to the Indonesian side. Police intelligence believe a criminal network operating across the border is responsible for the smuggling of gold bullion across to the Indonesian province of Papua.

Sandaun provincial police commander Sakawar Kasieng confirmed yesterday of the border closure ,explaining the reason being that police were tracing gold bullions that were stolen in recent robberies of the MRO (Metals Refinery Operations) in Port Moresby this year. He said police believed the gold bullions were heading to the border to be traded across the Indonesian side for arms. He said police were carefully monitoring this illegal operation.

Mr Kasieng also confirmed that Vanimo police had arrested and charged a PNG soldier and suspended two policemen whom they suspect were involved in this operation. He said only passport holders with genuine reasons for travelling were allowed across. Mr Kasieng added that the Member for Vanimo Green and Forest Minister Belden Namah had assured police that NEC had approved the decision to close the border. Mr Kasieng also confirmed the Ruko shopping centre a kilometre into the Indonesian side from Wutung will also be shut down and moved further back to Abepura or Abepura. He said this is because the shopping centre was too close to the PNG side which was luring the local people there.

Vanimo people have benefited from the Ruko shopping centre which has helped them to earn extra income. Before the closure they had easy access to buying and selling of
Indonesian products to sell at markets and shops in Vanimo. Sandaun Provincial Administrator Joe Sungi has also confirmed the border closure, saying that people in the Vanimo area had become too dependent on the Ruko shopping centre and were spending less time working in their gardens and other self help projects. Meanwhile the situation across the border is tense following recent demonstrations last week staged by indigenous Papuans who want the 1966 referendum reviewed. Indonesian military are carrying out thorough checks of motorists and people they suspect of carrying offensive weapons such as firearms and ammunition. According to reports three people were shot dead and 18 arrested.

Mr Kasieng said Vanimo police were aware of the situation and had warned Papua New Guineans not to travel there. He added that government resources to carefully monitor this situation were lacking “We are a hundred years behind Indonesia’s strength and sophistication in monitoring an international border,” Mr Kasieng said.