The secretary of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Mr Markus Haluk, received numerous messages with threats and insults on his mobile phone. According to Mr Haluk, he started receiving the messages shortly after the TNI announced in a press release on 10 April 2024 that the military will no longer use the term ‘armed criminal groups’ (Bhs Indonesia ‘Kelompok Kriminal Bersenjata’ often abbreviated ‘KKB’) to address the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) but will use the terminology ‘Organisasi Papua Merdeka’ (‘Free West Papua Organisation’), or its abbreviation OPM. The messages ranged from threat messages stating, ‘Be careful’ to insults such as ‘Armed criminal groups are dicks” (see photos below, source: ULMWP).
This is not the first time that Mr Haluk received intimidating messages and phone calls. In late March 2024, he had already received approximately 35 calls from 15 different numbers, with some instances of multiple calls simultaneously, indicating a concerted effort to intimidate him.
Messages received by ULMWP secretary after 10 April 2024
