Indonesia president supports plan to scale back troops in restive Papua

Newly appointed Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Admiral Yudo Margono, speaks to journalists during a news conference following his inauguration ceremony, replacing General Andika Perkasa, at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, December 19, 2022. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Monday he supports plans to scale back the presence of troops in the eastern region of Papua, where the country's military has been accused of human rights abuses in tackling a long-running independence movement.

Jokowi, as the president is known, said "the reduction of military troops in Papua is good, but we need to continue to be stern," after appointing a new chief of armed forces.