Wamena, the main urban centre of Jayawijaya Regency in Indonesia’s Papua Pegunungan (Highland Papua) Province, is set to strengthen neighbourhood security through a plan to build 62 community security posts, known locally as Poskamling, by 2027. The provincial government is expected to support the physical construction through its Regional Development Planning, Research and Innovation Agency, or Bapperida, while local residents and community groups are expected to help maintain the posts and take part in night patrols.
The initiative is intended to prevent crime, improve public order and give residents greater confidence, particularly during the evening and night. Its proposed locations include several routes leading into Wamena, such as Pike, Sinakma, Jalan Irian, Wouma and Wesaput.
The plan reflects a growing emphasis on community participation in local security. Rather than relying exclusively on formal security institutions, the proposed Poskamling network is designed to involve residents in monitoring their neighbourhoods and reporting potential disturbances. Its effectiveness, however, will depend on sustained funding, clear operating procedures and coordination with the police and other relevant authorities.
From a local security proposal to a provincial commitment
The latest plan builds on an earlier initiative by the Jayawijaya Regency Government to reactivate neighbourhood security posts in Wamena.
In December 2025, the regency government, through its National Unity and Politics Agency (Bakesbangpol), encouraged the reintroduction of Poskamling in Wamena starting in 2026. The proposal was presented as a preventive measure to help reduce crime and maintain a safe environment in the regency’s urban centre.
At the time, Amos Asso, Acting Head of Jayawijaya’s Bakesbangpol, said the programme would be considered part of the local government’s work agenda, with initial attention directed towards Wamena because of its importance as a centre of government and economic activity.
Asso emphasised that security initiatives required consultation with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri) and other elements of society before implementation. He said programmes related to public security should be discussed and communicated collectively so that residents understood their purpose and responsibilities.
The earlier proposal also called for the involvement of local administrative structures, including neighbourhood and community associations, known as RT and RW, as well as village and urban ward authorities. Traditional leaders, religious figures, young people, women and community organisations were identified as important partners.
This approach established the principle that neighbourhood security should be a shared responsibility. It also provided a foundation for the more specific infrastructure proposal announced in November 2026.
Bapperida to support construction of 62 posts
The latest development was confirmed by Nius L. Wenda, Head of Wamena District, in comments reported by ANTARA on November 13, 2026.
According to Nius, the Papua Pegunungan Provincial Government, through Bapperida, had indicated its willingness to help construct 62 Poskamling facilities in Wamena in 2027. The provincial support followed a proposal submitted by the district administration.
Nius said the commitment concerned the physical construction of the posts at 62 locations. He described the facilities as an important part of strengthening security in Wamena and the wider Papua Pegunungan region.
The arrangement also outlines a division of responsibilities between provincial and district authorities. While Bapperida is expected to assist with construction, the Wamena District Office has been asked to prepare funding for the posts’ operational needs once the buildings are completed.
Nius said the Bapperida leadership had conveyed that the district administration would need to provide the resources required to keep the facilities functioning.
That distinction is important. Building a security post is only the first stage of the program. Regular patrols require personnel, coordination, basic equipment and operational support. Without a clear and sustainable budget, newly constructed facilities could struggle to remain active.
The district administration is therefore seeking to prepare funding for practical needs, including food and drinks for residents taking turns on night duty. Nius said the relevant operational support was being proposed for the following year.
Five access routes identified as priorities
The proposed Poskamling network is expected to focus particularly on routes entering Wamena from surrounding areas.
Nius identified Pike, Sinakma, Jalan Irian, Wouma and Wesaput as priority locations for night-time monitoring. These routes are considered important access points into the town, making them central to the district’s proposed neighbourhood security arrangements.
The intention is to strengthen community awareness and provide an additional layer of observation around areas through which people enter and leave Wamena.
Nius said the posts would help provide a greater sense of safety and comfort for residents, especially at night. The proposed network is therefore not limited to constructing buildings. It is intended to create a community-based presence in strategic areas where residents can coordinate local patrols and communicate concerns.
The focus on access routes also suggests an effort to make the programme responsive to Wamena’s local geography and movement patterns. However, the authorities have not yet published a detailed site-by-site deployment plan, patrol schedule or operational map for all 62 locations.
Further planning will be needed to determine how the posts will work together, how information will be passed to police and how patrol activities will be coordinated across the district.
Community organisations and residents to take part
One of the distinctive features of the proposal is the planned involvement of members of Persaudaraan Setia Hati Terate (PSHT), alongside residents living near the proposed posts.
Nius said PSHT members would assist with guarding the facilities and take turns on duty with local community members. He explained that members of the organisation had previously conducted their activities at home and could contribute to the neighbourhood’s security initiative.
The arrangement is intended to broaden community participation and provide additional personnel for night patrols. It also recognises that a security programme operating across 62 locations will require cooperation beyond the district administration.
The involvement of local residents is particularly important because they are familiar with the daily conditions in their neighbourhoods. Through organised patrols and communication, communities can help identify disturbances, report suspicious incidents and alert the appropriate authorities when assistance is required.
Nevertheless, the role of community patrol members should remain preventive and supportive. Poskamling personnel are not a replacement for the police or other authorised law enforcement institutions. Clear procedures are necessary to ensure that patrol members report incidents through proper channels and do not take enforcement action beyond their authority.
Such safeguards can help protect residents while maintaining public confidence in the programme.
Earlier planning highlights coordination with security agencies
The December 2025 proposal by Jayawijaya’s Bakesbangpol also placed strong emphasis on coordination with TNI and Polri.
Amos Asso said any programme intended to stabilise public security should be discussed and communicated with security agencies and all relevant elements of society. This coordination was considered necessary before the programme could be formally implemented.
The earlier plan also called for neighbourhood and community-level officials to help explain the programme to residents. RT and RW representatives, together with village and urban ward administrations, were expected to serve as important communication channels.
Asso stressed that maintaining security in Wamena and Jayawijaya was a collective responsibility involving the government, security personnel and the wider community. He encouraged residents to work together towards a peaceful, safe and comfortable Jayawijaya.
That message remains relevant to the 2027 construction plan. The proposed posts will only function effectively if residents understand their purpose, know how to report incidents and trust that their participation will be supported by local authorities.
The involvement of traditional and religious leaders, youth groups, women’s organisations and community associations could also help ensure that the programme reflects the social character of Wamena.
Funding and accountability will determine long-term success
The planned construction of 62 posts represents a substantial local security initiative, but the available announcements do not yet specify the total construction budget, detailed procurement schedule or exact completion dates.
Nor have the authorities publicly provided a full operational framework covering patrol shifts, equipment, communications, training and reporting procedures. These details will be important as the programme moves from planning to implementation.
The proposed allocation of responsibilities between provincial and district governments provides an initial framework. Bapperida is expected to support the construction, while the Wamena District Office is expected to prepare operational funding. The district administration’s proposal for food and drink support for patrol members is one example of the practical costs that need to be considered.
Transparent budgeting and regular evaluation will be essential. Authorities could assess the programme through indicators such as the number of posts completed and actively staffed, patrol participation, response coordination with police and the number of incidents reported or referred to the appropriate agencies.
Such monitoring would help determine whether the programme is improving neighbourhood security rather than simply increasing the number of physical facilities.
Community security as part of local development
A safe environment is an important condition for everyday economic and social activity. Wamena serves as a centre for administration, commerce and public services in the highlands of Papua. Residents, traders, transport operators and other local businesses all benefit when public spaces and neighbourhoods are orderly and secure.
Community security posts can contribute to this environment by strengthening communication between residents and authorities. Regular night patrols may also encourage greater awareness of neighbourhood conditions and promote cooperation among people living in different parts of the district.
The programme should therefore be understood as one component of broader local development. Its purpose is not only to respond to crime but also to support a sense of shared responsibility for public spaces.
At the same time, Poskamling cannot address every cause of insecurity. Effective crime prevention also requires accessible public services, responsive law enforcement, social engagement and opportunities for young people to participate constructively in community life.
Combining these elements would provide the initiative a stronger foundation and help ensure that community participation is sustained over time.
Conclusion
The plan by the Papua Pegunungan Provincial Government to support the construction of 62 Poskamling facilities in Wamena in 2027 marks an important step towards strengthening community-based security in Jayawijaya. Building on the regency government’s earlier initiative to reactivate neighbourhood patrols, the proposal brings provincial infrastructure support together with local administration and community participation.
The prioritisation of access routes such as Pike, Sinakma, Jalan Irian, Wouma and Wesaput reflects an effort to respond to Wamena’s specific security needs. The planned involvement of PSHT members and local residents could also strengthen cooperation at the neighbourhood level.
Ultimately, the success of the programme will depend on more than just the completion of 62 buildings. Reliable operational funding, clear patrol procedures, coordination with TNI and Polri, and respect for the authority of law enforcement institutions will be essential. If these elements are established, the Poskamling network could become a lasting community resource, helping residents take an active role in maintaining a safer, more orderly and more welcoming Wamena.
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