The story of a Boston prosecutor who maintains the trust of law enforcement in mountainous Papua

Jakarta – Becoming a prosecutor in a vulnerable area is not an easy matter. This challenge was felt directly by the intelligence division of the Jayawijaya District Prosecutor’s Office, Boston Robert Marganda Siahaan when he was entrusted to lead the Papua Mountains region. The order came suddenly. He admitted he was shocked when he received a decision letter that placed him in an area with a level of security that was not always stable. Yet a sense of responsibility made him determined to go. “Actually, when I received the SK or Letter of Transfer and received the mandate as head of the intelligence division at the Jayawijaya District Prosecutor’s Office, I was shocked at first, but it is called an obligation, a mandate,” he said in a written statement on Friday (17/10/2025). Scroll TO CONTINUE CONTENT Boston knows very well the risks that await Jayawijaya. An area known for its dynamic social and security conditions makes many people think twice about serving there, but not him. “Moreover, when we joined the prosecutor’s office, we already signed a letter saying that we are willing to be placed anywhere. I did it sincerely, even though I knew it from the information when I got the assignment letter. I saw how the situation was in Jayawijaya, there were often conflicts, but yes, I remained enthusiastic,” because we continued to carry out this mandate. Upon his arrival in Wamena, he was immediately confronted with a tense situation. At that time, Papua’s mountains entered the regional election period and conditions on the ground were considered prone to friction. He and the intelligence team also worked extra hard to ensure the safety of employees and the prosecutor’s office. “We as intelligence had to master this security at that time, not only our own security, but employee security and office security,” he said. The story of Boston prosecutors who maintain the trust of law enforcement in Papua’s mountains Photo: detikcom Even though they work in an area with limited facilities and challenging geographical conditions, Boston does not use this as a reason to stop. For him, every difficulty is a test of professionalism. “There is a lack of facilities at the Jayawijaya State Prosecutor’s Office, both infrastructure and personnel. But in my opinion, this is not an obstacle. It is still us, we must continue the work, our main duties and functions continue,” he emphasized. While on duty, he learned a lot from the people of Jayawijaya who were friendly and upheld customary law. According to him, law enforcement in the Papuan mountains cannot be separated from the traditional values ​​that are still strong in society. “In my opinion, as a prosecutor, customary law and positive law should be harmonized. However, customary law should not conflict with positive law,” he explained. Even though he is far from his family, Boston tries to stay focused on carrying out his mandate. He admits that he misses home, but dedication to his duties is his main priority. “So, how do I deal with it, if the family is far away, because there is also longing, we do it by phone, video call, but we also have to be committed, because when we go into the post, we actually submitted a declaration letter, if we receive the mandate, we have to be sincere in carrying it out,” he concluded. For Boston, service in Jayawijaya is not just a job, but a form of service. In the midst of restrictions and uncertainty, he sticks to one thing: maintaining the integrity and trust of the people in the law in Indonesia’s easternmost country. (same/same)