Manokwari – The Speaker of the West Papua Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRP), Orgenes Wonggor, stated that his party will meet with the West Papua Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Alfred Papare, to discuss the issue of firearm ownership related to the customs of the Arfak Tribe.
The meeting is planned to seek a solution to the practice of using inherited firearms as part of dowries in the Arfak Mountains Regency.
Orgenes explained that a previous meeting with the Regional Police Chief had been held at the DPRP office. A follow-up meeting with the Regional Police Chief will be scheduled to follow up on that meeting.
According to him, firearm ownership among the Arfak people, particularly in the Arfak Mountains, is not new but has been part of a tradition passed down through generations. Firearms hold symbolic value in the tradition, particularly as a primary requirement for paying dowries.
“By law, it is indeed forbidden for civilians to own firearms. However, in the customs of the Arfak Tribe, inherited firearms are an important symbol in the dowry procession,” he said.
He stated that in the Arfak Tribe’s traditional structure, firearms are even a primary requirement, even before other dowry components, such as oriental cloth, money, and livestock.
“In practice, the number of weapons prepared is usually adjusted to the number of sons in the family. This is prepared long before the wedding takes place,” he explained.
Orgenes emphasized that his team wants to convey to the Regional Police Chief that firearm ownership is purely for customary purposes, not for other purposes such as building power or opposing the state.
“This is purely part of tradition and social status in the Arfak community. Therefore, we want a shared understanding between legal regulations and customary values,” he said.
Orgenes hopes a wise solution can be found so that the rule of law remains in effect without disregarding the local wisdom of the Arfak Tribe.
