Malind Indigenous People Defend Their Customary Land Rights Under Intimidation

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March 6, 2026 in Animha Reading Time: 4 mins read

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Author: Aida Ulim – Editor: Arjuna Pademme

Jayapura, Jubi – The struggle of the Malind indigenous people in Merauke Regency, South Papua, to defend their customary lands and forests from government land clearing projects for plantation and agricultural investment has not been easy. They have faced intimidation and pressure from the military.

Andreas Mahuse, a Malind indigenous person, said that the community there experienced pressure from the military following the forest clearing. Around a thousand military personnel were stationed in Ilwayab District, Merauke Regency.

According to him, a number of mistakes were made by the central government, provincial government, and Merauke Regency Government in implementing investment projects in the Malind community’s customary territory.

“The first is the taking of customary land since 2024 without the consent and notification of the indigenous community,” said Andreas Mahuse after the Malind indigenous community filed a lawsuit with the Jayapura State Administrative Court (PTUN Jayapura) in Waena, Jayapura City, Papua, on Thursday (March 5, 2026).

He said there had never been any dialogue or negotiation between the government or the company and the indigenous community regarding land ownership status and the planned transfer of land to the company.

“There should have been a meeting with us, the indigenous people, to discuss who owns this land and whether or not the community agreed to its use. However, such a process never occurred,” he said.

Andreas Mahuse stated that the lawsuit filed with the Jayapura Administrative Court (PTUN) was also part of the Malind indigenous people’s efforts to defend their customary land.

The lawsuit was filed by five representatives of the Malind indigenous people: Simon Petrus Balagaize, Sinta Gebze, Andreas Mahuze, Liborius Kodai Moiwend, and Kanisius Dagil, under case number 9/G/LH/2026/PTUN Jayapura.

The Malind indigenous people are challenging the Merauke Regent’s Decree Number 100.3.3.2/1105/2025 concerning the environmental feasibility permit for the construction of a 135-kilometer road for the National Strategic Project (PSN).

“[This lawsuit] is a form of struggle to defend customary land and forests from the government’s National Strategic Project (PSN) for rice paddy development,” said Andreas Mahuse.

Andreas Mahuse explained that the 135-kilometer road, part of the rice paddy development project, was forcibly constructed without the community’s consent.

The road stretches from Wanam Village, Ilwayab District, passing through several villages and reaching Muting District.

“The villages [through which the road construction passes] include Wanam, Wogikel, Salamepe, Nakias, Tagaepe, Ilhalik, Kapdel, and Solo Village. This project also crosses several districts, namely Ilwayab, Ngguti, and Muting Districts,” he said.

The indigenous community ultimately filed the lawsuit, alleging administrative errors in the project. Forest clearing for road construction began in September 2024, but the environmental permit document was only issued in September 2025.

“This is a very serious state administrative error for us indigenous people,” he said.

Furthermore, Mahuse continued, the indigenous community has never seen important documents such as the Environmental Impact Analysis (AMDAL) or the technical development planning documents.

The project is also considered to have the potential to damage the indigenous community’s culture, as it has changed the community’s lifestyle, which has traditionally relied on sago as a staple food, replacing it with rice.

“This is not only an environmental issue, but also a violation of the indigenous community’s cultural rights,” said Andreas Mahuse.

Another representative of the Malind indigenous community, Sinta Gebze from Wanam Village, said the company entered their customary territory without the community’s permission, with a large military escort, which has made the community afraid to resist directly.

According to her, some residents have experienced violence from security forces. They were beaten, resulting in injuries, and some were even paralyzed.

“Furthermore, I experienced intimidation while at a place of worship. I was picked up at the church door. I asked them, ‘What did I do wrong? I was just defending my land rights,'” said Sinta Gebze.

He said the company’s activities continue day and night, and the indigenous people have been unable to stop the clearing of their forests and gardens.

“The community has been demanding compensation for the cleared crops since 2024, but there has been no response from the company,” said Sinta Gebze.

Another Malind indigenous community member, Simon Petrus Balagaize, said the project has also sparked social conflict among the indigenous people, as some accepted the company’s offer, while others refused. The conflict culminated in violence and the burning of the homes of residents who opposed the project.

“Initially, the project was carried out by PT Jhonlin Group, then by other companies, but these companies denied their involvement,” said Simon Petrus Balagaize.

He said that most of the Malind’s customary territory has now been divided into various company concessions. Of the approximately two million hectares of customary territory, the majority has been included in company concessions or designated as production forest areas.

“The last remaining forest is our habitat, along with cassowaries, birds-of-paradise, and many other animals. There’s also sago, our staple food,” he said.

The Malind indigenous people, according to Balagaize, do not oppose development. Instead, they want to be respected as owners of their customary land. For indigenous people, the forest is a living space that provides all their needs.

“For us, the forest is heaven; God has provided everything there. That’s why we defend our forest. Customary land does not belong to the village head, the traditional chief, or the government, but to the clan, passed down from generation to generation,” he said.

He stated that if any clan holding customary rights disagrees, the customary land cannot be relinquished. Balagaize called for solidarity and support for the Malind indigenous people’s struggle to defend their customary land and forest. (*)

Red cloth and paint: Papuan indigenous people’s efforts to protect the world’s lungs

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March 6, 2026 in Domberai, Environment Reading Time: 4 mins read

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Author: Gamaliel Kaliele – Editor: Angela Flassy

Indigenous people mark trees in the forest as boundaries of their customary areas – Jubi/Gamaliel

Teminabuan, Jubi – Indigenous elders, women, and youth, along with Jubi journalists, walked through the Kordaimahkrah, Sun, Mondarmbe, and Nimadaduk forests in Konda District, South Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua. They carried red cloth and paint to mark the forest’s trees as customary territory boundaries, based on natural landmarks such as large trees, rivers, and mountains that have long served as boundaries for customary rights between clans, Wednesday (March 4, 2026).

The forest they have long protected is under threat from the expansion of the palm oil company PT Anugerah Sakti Internusa (ASI), which holds a concession of approximately 37,000 hectares in the Konda and Teminabuan Districts. Of these, 14,000 hectares are located on the customary lands of these indigenous people.

Yance Mondar, a community leader from Nakna Village, stated that through this action, the indigenous people of Konda District are sending a strong message to companies and the government that customary forests are not investment-free areas and that these lands have a history, ownership, and life that cannot be replaced with money or promises of development.

“We reject oil palm, not because we don’t want development, but because oil palm will destroy the forests that have long been part of our lives and beliefs,” he said.

“If the forest disappears, our livelihoods will also disappear, and our ancestral heritage will also disappear,” he said.

The South Sorong Regency Government revoked the plantation business permit of PT Anugerah Sakti Internusa (ASI) on May 20, 2021, through South Sorong Regent Decree No. 025/104/BSS/V/2021. The reason was that when PT ASI obtained the permit, it failed to comply with the obligations stipulated in the IUP, such as the indigenous community’s failure to consent to the company’s acquisition of customary land and forest. PT ASI’s lawsuit was filed with the State Administrative Court (PTUN) and the Supreme Court, and the indigenous community won.

Despite the legal standing, PT ASI has recently continued its efforts to obtain the indigenous community’s permit by conducting outreach campaigns, as happened three weeks ago. While state apparatus is being used to threaten indigenous communities, the communities continue to strive to protect tropical forests, which are the lungs of the entire world.

Jubi journalists embarked on a long journey on foot through the wilderness from the nearest village early in the morning, without vehicles and without communication.

The only guides were the traditional elders who had lived alongside the forest since childhood.

The deeper they went into the jungle, the denser and quieter the atmosphere became. Large trees towered tall, some exceeding one meter in diameter and estimated to have been living for hundreds of years. The thick canopy allowed only a thin layer of sunlight to penetrate the forest floor. Giant tree roots spread through the damp soil, while the sounds of birds and wildlife could occasionally be heard in the distance.

“For us, the indigenous people of Konda District, this forest is more than just a natural expanse; every large tree, small river, and mountain ridge marks the boundaries of our customary territory,” said Mondar.

These boundaries are not written on national maps, but live in the collective memory of the indigenous people.

During the journey, dozens of indigenous people gathered to perform a ritual and then planted traditional stakes to mark the boundaries of their customary rights.

Yance Mondar said the forest patrols and the installation of customary stakes were carried out to protect the area from the threat of oil palm plantation expansion.

“We surveyed and created these customary markers because a company and several other parties are planning to let in oil palm plantations. So we are also afraid and must protect our customary land,” he said.

He said the community is worried that if the forest area is cleared for oil palm plantations, they will lose their living space.

“If oil palm plantations come in, they will destroy our small forest. Where will we live? Where will we hunt? Where will we farm? So, we can’t give up these rights if this area is cultivated for oil palm, then where will our lives be?” said Yance Mondar.

The forest patrol attended by Jubi journalists involved various clans, including Mondar, Kareth, Sarus, Sianggo, Karet, and Kemeray. They included traditional elders, women, and even youth.

Red cloth and red paint marked large trees as symbols of customary prohibitions.

Throughout their reporting journey, Jubi journalists also found signs of wildlife: wild boar tracks were visible in the damp soil, while the sounds of cassowaries and birds of paradise could be heard from within the forest.

“This forest is also a habitat for various animals such as cuscuses, tree kangaroos, deer, and various species of native birds,” said Grice Mondar, standing, pointing to the dense expanse of large trees surrounding him.

He explained that the forest is a primary food source for indigenous communities who still depend on nature.

“In this forest, wild boars, cassowaries, laulau, kangaroos, cuscuses, maleo, deer, and many other wild animals live here. So, our extended family rejects the oil palm plantation,” he said.

Besides being a hunting ground, the forest also serves as a living space for indigenous women. They collect various medicinal plants and craft materials from the forest for their families’ needs.

Mama Fransina Sianggo explained that various household needs come from nature. “This forest barrel is used for medicinal purposes when a family member is sick. We also collect mat leaves and grass to make noken (traditional bamboo baskets) and mats for the family’s needs,” she said.

Yulian Kareth, an Afsya traditional leader who participated in the forest patrol, emphasized that the indigenous people will not hand over their territory to any company, because this forest is not empty land; it has its owners.

“So, we will always reject oil palm,” he asserted.

The forest is their home, their source of life, and a spiritual space that connects them to their ancestors. Therefore, planting customary stakes in the forest is not only a symbol of territorial boundaries, but also a form of resistance by indigenous peoples to maintain their identity, culture, and the future of their generations as the lungs of the world. (*)

West Papua advocates call for solidarity as displacement and deforestation escalate

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A two -day forum in Auckland will discuss the issues facing West Papuans who face mass displacement, environmental destruction, and militarisation. The forum aims to amplify their voices and build Pacific solidarity.

Khalia Strong PUBLISHED 06 March 2026, 3:41pm

West Papua advocates Catherine Delahunty and Dorthea Wabiser.

Photo/Composite

Indigenous communities in West Papua are losing land, food systems, and cultural heritage as armed conflict forces tens of thousands from their homes.

The Melanesian nation has faced decades of militarisation and exploitation since being annexed by Indonesia in the 1960s, following the controversial transfer of the region by the United Nations.

Dorothea Wabiser, a West Papuan advocate, calls the situation “slow-motion genocide.” Speaking on Pacific Mornings, she says families in the Porgera highlands are desperately seeking safety.

“There are currently more than 100,000 IDPs [internally displaced persons] in Papua leaving their homes, because of the conflict between the military, who want to own the gold deposits within the highlands,” Wabiser says.

Another crisis is the government’s National Strategic Project, repurposing two million hectares of forest for sugarcane plantations and rice fields. Wabiser says this is impacting their surroundings and forcibly changing their eating habits.

“Because they cut down all of our indigenous food, the sago tree…diet patterns within the communities are changing. Our body characteristics are changing because we now depend on other food instead of our own indigenous food.”

Wabiser says international attention is limited by media restrictions and political interests, with journalists often blocked from reporting. She stresses the role of solidarity: “The government will listen to you if a lot of people talk about it… it will become a pressure to our government to say something about it.”

Catherine Delahunty, a West Papua advocate and former Green Party MP, is passionate about the nation’s plight.

“Ever since the 1960s…human rights abuses, military occupation, destruction of the environment, abuse of the people based on very racist ideology…this is what we call a structural genocide,” she tells Pacific Mornings.

Delahunty is calling for greater awareness and support, highlighting that Pacific and Māori communities respond with a shared lens of colonisation.

“Tangata whenua and tangata Pasifika people, immediately they’re like, ‘Right, what can we do to help?’ Some other people, politicians, are pretty indifferent. But we still need to keep the people who don’t even know where West Papua is on the map aware.”

An opportunity to connect

The two-day West Papua Solidarity Forum in Auckland this weekend offers the public a chance to learn and act. The forum begins today with panels on militarisation, environmental destruction, community organising, and human rights abuses.

It continues on Saturday, March 8, at The Taro Patch in Papatoetoe from 9-4pm, with workshops, cultural discussions, and relationship-building.

The weekend also includes a mini-film screening on Friday evening, introduced by Indonesian journalist Victor Mambor.

The film documents local resistance to the Strategic National Project. “People there, they resist, and they try to fight the project and the people who operate the project. And it’s still going on now. We’re trying to capture the situation there. This is the biggest deforestation in the world,” Mambor says.

Watch Dorthea Wabiser and Catherine Delahunty’s full interview below.

Wabiser says sharing these stories is vital for future generations.

“It is not an empty land. These forests have our history, sacred places and culture. There is music, games, and sports within these forests, and we want to keep it. We want to maintain it. We have a responsibility for my generation and future generations,” she says.

Delahunty adds that solidarity requires both awareness and action. “Victor and Dorothea go out every day trying to defend a forest which protects our climate, and we need to recognise that what they do for their own country, they also do for us. We are not separate…We need to get together with our voices to support free West Papua.”

Papua police accused of protecting perpetrators behind Jubi media firebombing

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Suara Papua – February 2, 2026

Maria Baru, Sorong – The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) is urging the Papua Regional Police (Polda Papua) to immediately solve the October 16, 2024 Molotov cocktail terror attack against the Jubi editorial office in Jayapura.

Fifteen months after the attack, the Papua police have again come under scrutiny after failing to publicly identify the perpetrators of the Molotov cocktail terror attack. The police’s silence is seen as a form of inaction, public manipulation and the protection of perpetrators of crimes against the press.

AJI Secretary General Bayu Wardhana emphasised that the case must be followed up seriously and the identities of the perpetrators made public immediately.

He said that allowing the case to drag on will only make it an “annual story” without legal clarity. According to Wardhana, the failure to thoroughly investigate the attack will further worsen the state of press freedom and democracy in Papua.

“This case must be resolved. If not, it will continue to be a recurring story each year”, Wardhana said during a public discussion titled “The silencing of the media and the press freedom crisis in Eastern Indonesia”, which held at the Swiss-Bell Hotel in Sorong city, Southwest Papua, on Monday February 2.

Meanwhile, Jubi editor-in-chief Jean Bisay openly accused the Papua Regional Police of being “con artists,” because despite knowing the perpetrator’s identity, they have yet to reveal it to the public.

Bisay emphasised that to prevent practices of impunity for crimes targeting journalists and the media, the perpetrators of the Molotov bomb terror attack must be identified and punished according to prevailing laws in Indonesia.

“If the perpetrators are not punished, impunity will continue to occur”, he said.

During the same discussion, Catholic rights activist Yuliana Langowuyo highlighted the role of the Press Council in ensuring that every media outlet has standard operating procedures (SOPs) to protect journalists, especially in high-risk reporting.

Langowuyo stated that journalists are human rights workers, so their work must be protected systematically and seriously.

Erick Tanjung, a member of the Press Council Working Group, revealed that many media outlets in Indonesia, including those in Jakarta, still lack adequate security protocols for high-risk coverage such as conflict, investigations and disasters.

“This is important homework for the Press Council and media companies to have security protocols for journalists”, said Tanjung.

Tanjung believes that the Molotov cocktail attack on the Jubi editorial office is a real test of the state’s commitment to protecting press freedom.

“Especially in Papua, which has long been under the shadow of intimidation and violence against the media”, he concluded.

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Polda Papua Dituding ‘Tukang Tipu’, Pelaku Bom Molotov Jubi Belum Diumumkan”.]

Source: https://suarapapua.com/2026/02/02/polda-papua-dituding-tukang-tipu-pelaku-bom-molotov-jubi-belum-diumumkan/

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Impunity update: Police officer sentenced for killing of Tobias Silak seen walking freely through Wamena

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Human Rights News / Indonesia, West Papua / 6 February 2026 

On 20 August 2024, Mr Tobias Silak, a civilian, was fatally shot and Naro Dapla sustained serious gunshot injuries on the Dekai mountain road, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province. Following a criminal trial, a panel of judges at the Wamena District Court delivered verdicts against four Indonesian police officers involved in the incident in late October 2025. On 2 February 2026, credible information emerged that Second Brigadier Fernando Alexander Aufa, one of the convicted officers, was seen walking freely in Wamena (see videos below, source: independent HRD), raising serious concerns that he may have been released by the Jayawijaya District Police despite a five-year custodial sentence.

A solidarity activist saw ç walking in front oft he Jayawijaya police station, only three months after he had been sentenced to five years imprisonment. Following the encounter, the activist reported the encounter to the Jayawijaya District Police and the Wamena corrective facilty. According to the activist, neither police officers nor correctional officers took action, raising serious impunity concerns.

Background

On 28 October 2025, the Court convicted Chief Brigadier Muhammad Kurniawan Kudu (Gorontalo Police Mobile Brigade) under Article 338 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (murder) and sentenced him to 14 years’ imprisonment for shooting an unarmed civilian. Three additional defendants were convicted under Article 360 in conjunction with Article 55 of the Criminal Code and each sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. Evidence before the Court established that eight direct shots were fired at the victim without prior warning.

The victims’ legal team welcomed the sentence but condemned the leniency of sentences relative to the gravity of the crimes. Counsel argued that the evidence demonstrated premeditation, warranting prosecution under Article 340 (premeditated murder), which carries life imprisonment or the death penalty. The families further objected to the classification of the three co-defendants’ conduct as mere negligence, citing courtroom facts indicating coordinated actions and false reporting of a alleged shootout at Pasar Lama to cover-up the crime.

The verdict neither included dismissal from the Indonesian National Police, nor did the Court award restitution, compensation, or rehabilitation to the victims and their families. This is particularly concerning given that domestic law enables such remedies. Moreover, Naro Dapla was a minor at the time of the shooting. The trail also failed to establish command-level accountability, leaving those holding command responsibility free from prosecution.

Second Brigadier Fernando Alexander Aufa fleeing after being caught walking freely in Wamena

Indonesia’s economy wobbles as policy ambition outpaces planning

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arket volatility, investor unease and fiscal strain are exposing deeper risks in Indonesia’s economy – where policy ambition is running ahead of institutional readiness.

Prabowo Subianto, the country next door’s egotistic leader is running a worthwhile but uncosted pre-election promise made to win votes without understanding how the pieces might fit and the scheme work. The message is for governments everywhere: get your ducks in a row – policy precedes delivery.

First, some background – and cheering news for readers who holiday in exotic places where beer is cheap and getting cheaper. That’s Bali.

For much of last year, the exchange rate was easy on the fingers – a true digital calculation – around 10,000 rupiah to the Down Under dollar. Now it’s more than 11,500.

Great for backpackers; even if your bar sneakily adds another buck to the next Bintang, but bad for the locals, particularly those who remember Krismon and fear its second coming.

It sounds like a horror movie monster, and that’s almost right. In 1998 the portmanteau word for krisis moneter (no translation needed) devoured the second president, Soeharto after 32 years of autocracy.

In the last week of January confidence in Indonesia’s corporate world slumped when the Composite Index fell eight per cent one day and ten per cent the next. The US 80 billion markdown was reportedly its worst performance since Krismon.

The New York based global index compiler MSCI (formerly Morgan Stanley Capital International) threatened to downgrade the ratings of Southeast Asia’s biggest economy over transparency issues, spooking investors and forcing two senior executives to quit.

Other troubling factors have been Prabowo’s abrupt sacking of his predecessor’s finance minister – the US-trained Dr Sri Mulyani Indrawati. After nine years in the job she was apparently given an hour to collect her handbag and leave the building.

Not the sort of gesture to calm investors. Reuters reported she “was widely regarded as one of the few checks on Prabowo’s big growth and spending promises that had unnerved many investors.”

The President then appointed his nephew deputy governor of Bank Indonesia. Thomas Djiwandono is also treasurer to his uncle’s Gerindra Party. His father Joseph is a former BI governor.

The Ozzie dollar used to buy just under 2,000 rupiah before Krismon – then it jumped to 10,000, which is where it’s been hovering for much of this century. Now it’s on the move again sending trembling traders to the gold brokers.

This is despite the nation next door enjoying a growth rate of around five per cent, almost double ours.

Indonesia is awash with greenback billionaires, mainly in mining, palm oil and tobacco industries. The inequalities are frightening. The Indonesian Centre of Economic and Law Studies’ latest report is provocatively titled: Private jets for the rich, bicycles for the poor.

It claimed that “the wealth of the 50 richest individuals in Indonesia is equal to the total wealth of 50 million Indonesians.”

Countries can get bogged in the mud of debt when a government abandons frugality and oversight for indulgence and prestige. The previous President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo splashed more than AUD $7.5 billion on Ibu Kota Nusantara.

The new inland capital in Kalimantan (on the island of Borneo) is being built to replace overcrowded and sinking Jakarta on the north coast of Java. But after four years, IKN is empty streets, not busy boulevards.

Passages in the kitsch presidential palace, which was supposed to mark civilian Jokowi’s legacy, are corridors of cockroaches.

The neglect is partly because the eighth president is a disgraced former general. Prabowo is a divorcee with little interest in gilded lounge suites and queen beds.

Like a good macho bloke, his bag is fighter planes, missiles and bombs, though there are no known threats to the world’s fourth most populous country with 285 million citizens.

That proves arms are a deterrent, say those who argue more guns make for a safer nation. Others prefer to invest in the health and wisdom of future generations.

Curiously, that includes Prabowo. Despite making 21 trips to 28 countries in the past year, reportedly to encourage investment and order bang-bangs, he’s best known for spending more on the wee folk so they can grow into big archipelago islanders.

Before the 2024 presidential election, the media was dripping with sad stories about stunted kids. About one in five grow slowly and with impaired facilities because their thin mums had no milk and their backyard clay pots only boil weevilly rice.

The curse of poverty, the devil of disparity.

In a pledge to fix the problem during a TV debate, Prabowo promised a Makan Bergizi Gratis (free nutritious meals) program. He won the election with more than 56 per cent against two candidates with excellent credentials but nothing on the stove.

PS started shopping around the world. Citizens quibbled about the new boss buying 42 French Rafale fighter jets (cost AUD $11.5 billion), but the free meals were okay at first.

Then some kids started groaning and writhing with food poisoning – at least 10,000 victims last year.

To get the MBG cooking, Army kitchens were used. Soldiers may be good at greasing rifles but not cleaning dishes. Rotten food and poor hygiene were blamed for the sickness along with under-funding forcing corner-cutting, but a revived civilian scheme is now trying to repair Prabowo’s promise.

The government has allocated more than AUD $28 billion to feed the multitudes this year, threatening future arms purchases; it’s also testing limits to the national budget.

Government income from personal tax is below ten per cent, one of the lowest rates in the developed world. (It’s 41 per cent in Australia.)

At the end of January, the International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development backed a Constitutional Court’s judicial review of the law behind the free tucker “because the education budget allocation … has been misused to finance the MBG programme, which is not legally defined as education costs.”

The Constitution requires 20 per cent of the budget on schooling; the annual deficit is legally capped at three per cent of GDP. It’s currently 2.92.

The Education and Teachers’ Association says it’s concerned that the MBG programme is draining and delaying the payment of operational funds and teachers’ salaries.

However, supporters, like Tajinan public junior high school principal Ainul Mutamakin, said the program has improved attendance and learning among his 570 students, and released mums from another domestic chore – filling kids’ lunchboxes.

The meals in stainless steel lidded containers come from a nearby just-opened kitchen with modern facilities.

The 47 staff are supervised by a whip-cracking economist Arifatur Rofiah sending two meal-laden trucks on time to seventeen local schools. Her discipline and hygiene rules aren’t negotiable.

The program originally included milk; some Australian farmers saw business opportunities and started exporting Friesians, but many Indonesians are lactose intolerant.

Cooking is at night, and menus differ daily to keep the kids keen. Schedules are tight because the food is cooked at night and delivered early, as schools don’t have fridges.

The MBG program is upsetting Constitutional lawyers. Last year, it was in dispute with claims of corruption through food supplies and jobs for the boys and girls. But is it improving kids’ health?

It’s too early to tell, but if the kitchen seen by P&I is typical of the 80 across Java, then Prabowo’s hasty pledge appears to be holding.

It’s not tackling the root problem of poverty causing stunting, particularly in distant provinces like Papua (30 per cent) and East Nusa Tenggara (37 per cent).

According to the World Bank, the rate in Australia is below two per cent so the problem is fixable. The extra serve in the steel trays should be political will with a side dish of tax reform.

Prabowo is a proud man so his flagship social program will probably survive. That means MBG is here to stay unless it gets poisoned by Krismon and the economy suffers from stunting.

The views expressed in this article may or may not reflect those of Pearls and Irritations.

Duncan Graham

Duncan Graham has been a journalist for more than 40 years in print, radio and TV. He is the author of People Next Door (UWA Press). He is now writing for the English language media in Indonesia from within Indonesia. Duncan Graham has an MPhil degree, a Walkley Award, two Human Rights Commission awards and other prizes for his radio, TV and print journalism in Australia. He lives in East Java.

The Bogus Food Estate Project  

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Reporter Tempo January 

27, 2026 | 10:13 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The government is expanding the food estate project in South Papua. Without governance, environmental destruction is inevitable.

GOVERNANCE is in short supply in Indonesia. In the administration of Prabowo Subianto, transparency and accountability—the fundamental principles of public management—have been eroded by increasingly apparent conflicts of interest. The food estate project in South Papua is one example of this.

Instead of halting the food estate project, which has repeatedly proved a failure, the government is using all possible means—from tinkering with the regulations to deploying troops—to ensure the success of one of Prabowo’s flagship projects. The government claims this national strategic project, located on 2.29 million hectares of land in Merauke Regency, South Papua, will result in rice self-sufficiency by 2027, and will meet the domestic demands for sugar and bioethanol the following year.

South Kalimantan tycoon Andi Syamsuddin Arsyad, alias Haji Isam, has been brought on board to clear the land. In July 2024, he brought 2,000 excavators worth Rp4 trillion from China to Wanam village, Merauke Regency, South Papua. At the time, it was not clear whether the financing scheme would use entirely private sector or state funds, given that the Prabowo government had yet to be officially formed.

But there is no such thing as a free lunch. Claiming that it was to accelerate food self-sufficiency, the National Public Procurement Agency (LKPP) subsequently issued Regulation No. 3/2025. It contains procurement guidelines and a budgeting mechanism for retroactive procurement or work in national food, energy, or water self-sufficiency areas.

Using this regulation, contracts for ongoing food estate programs can be drawn up later, with the project value calculated subsequently. This means that Isam can ask for payment from the government for work carried out in 2024 from the 2025 State Budget. This is different from the previous system: procurement began with the identification of needs based on studies. For the Rp7 trillion project in Wanam, the government has so far paid out Rp1 trillion for the construction of roads and facilities supporting the laying out of paddy fields.

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan then expanded the Merauke megaproject to Boven Digoel, Mappi, and Asmat regencies. To realize Prabowo’s dream of accelerating the achievement of food, energy, and water self-sufficiency, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni issued Decree No. 591/2025 redesignating 489,940 hectares of forest in South Papua as other use areas (APL). Most of the cultivation permits (HGU) have been issued. There are indications that Isam was awarded a HGU for an oil palm plantation close to the Muting District.

As well as laying out rice fields and sugar plantations, this project will also create a 426,000-hectare oil palm plantation in Boven Digoel—143,000 hectares from the redesignation of forests—to support the B50 biodiesel program. The remainder is land confiscated by the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH) established by Prabowo last year.

The expansion of the food estates went ahead without any proper planning—a precondition for programs to be sustainable and not harmful to the environment. The National Development Planning Ministry/National Development Planning Agency has yet to draw up a rice self-sufficiency national strategic roadmap. Meanwhile, the synchronization of the draft spatial plan for South Papua for 2025-2044 was rushed through in one month. With minimal involvement of indigenous communities, this spatial change could exacerbate agrarian conflicts.

Although it has been named as the rice field developer, Agrinas Pangan Nusantara is reluctant to begin work on the land because there is no legal umbrella for the assignment. Similarly, Agrinas Palma Nusantara was assigned as the operator for the oil palm plantations.

The food estate projects of the Prabowo era seem like a repeat of an old tune. Strategic environmental impact assessments, which should ideally be conducted to evaluate the environment’s carrying capacity and determine suitable commodities and land, are only drafted after the government has already designated the locations. As a result, pilot rice field projects cannot be planted with rice due to land incompatibility. This magazine’s investigation found that four plots of rice fields in Wanam, built by the government a year ago, now lie abandoned.

Without adequate criteria and feasibility studies, food estate projects easily raise suspicions that they are a means of distributing favors and repaying debts to a handful of businesspeople close to the Presidential Palace. By ignoring the principles of good governance, the food and energy self-sufficiency policy in South Papua has become a time bomb that could explode at any moment, causing social and environmental disaster.

Intimidation against indigenous leader in connection with the planned construction of Indonesian military headquarters in Biak

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14 January 2026 / 4 minutes of reading

Between 30 November and 9 December 2025, a series of intimidation and surveillance incidents were reportedly directed against Mr Apolos Sroyer, Chair of the Biak Customary Council and Chief of the Biak Tribe, in the Biak–Supiori Regency, Papua province. The acts are allegedly linked to his peaceful leadership of indigenous opposition to the planned construction of new military (TNI) headquarters. The actions by military officials may amount to violations of the rights of indigenous peoples, including intimidation and interference with legitimate customary leadership.

Mr Apolos Sroyer is a long-standing indigenous leader and a founder of the Papuan Customary Council (2001). He is the Chief of the Biak Tribe for the 2017–2029 period. He has led non-violent efforts to protect customary lands, resolve land and social disputes through customary justice, and prevent state encroachment on indigenous territories without consent.

Between 2018 and 2024, the Indonesian Government advanced plans to construct military headquarters and battalion facilities within the customary territory of Biak–Supiori Regency. Indigenous communities consistently rejected these plans, citing threats to their living space, cultural survival, and security, and the absence of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). Human rights observers expressed concerns that the formation of three new Indonesian Military battalions in Biak, Supiori, and Waropen has the potential to create human rights violations.

Escalation and military deployment

In November–December 2025, approximately 1,200–1,750 TNI personnel were reportedly deployed to Biak–Supiori Regency, occupying schools and public facilities. This large-scale military presence revived collective trauma linked to the past Military Operations Zone (DOM) period and intensified fear among indigenous communities. The three battalions are Territorial Development Battalion units, which are prepared to implement food security projects, and conduct infrastructure development.

On 5 December 2025, a customary meeting was held in the Ababiadi Village Office, South Supiori District, attended by the Biak Customary Council and representatives of 13 clans. The meeting formally declared rejection of the planned construction of military headquarters on their customary land, reaffirming that the project violated FPIC and endangered the survival of the Biak indigenous people. Despite this, the local district military commander reportedly announced plans to proceed with eviction on 9 December 2025.

Following the customary rejection, Mr Apolos Sroyer repeatedly became the target of intimidation. On 30 November 2025, unidentified officials visited his home without prior notice, followed the same night by drone surveillance reportedly conducted for several hours. On 9 December 2025, intelligence vehicles allegedly followed Mr Sroyer while he was in Jayapura. Meanwhile, TNI members reportedly attempted to create division between indigenous clans and coerce the community into accepting the military project. These actions created a credible climate of fear, raising concerns about possible physical harm, constant surveillance, and the risk of criminalisation of a legitimate indigenous leader.

Impact on indigenous communities

The planned military construction and associated intimidation have had severe impacts on the affected indigenous communities in Biak, including the threatened seizure of customary land and restriction of access to land, sea, and gardens, deepening collective trauma, and the risk of cultural destruction. Community members emphasise that the land concerned is not empty land, but integral to their identity, livelihood, and spiritual life.

Biak indigenous leaders and customary authorities have publicly stated that they reject the presence of military bases on indigenous territories. Customary rights cannot be relinquished without collective customary deliberation.

Human rights analysis

The reported acts may amount to violations of the right to security of person, freedom from intimidation, the rights of indigenous peoples to land and self-determination, and the obligation of the state to obtain FPIC before undertaking projects affecting indigenous territories as enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The intimidation of a customary leader for peacefully exercising his mandate raises serious concerns about reprisals against human rights defenders.

Customary meeting in the Ababiadi Village, South Supiori District, attended by the Biak Customary Council and representatives of 13 clans on 5 December 2025

Detailed Case Data
Location: Biak, Papua, Indonesia (-1.0381022, 135.9800848) 
Region: Indonesia, Papua, Biak Numfor
Total number of victims: dozens

#Number of VictimsName, DetailsGenderAgeGroup AffiliationViolations
1.1 Apolos Sroyer

maleadult Human Rights Defender (HRD), Indigenous Peoplesintimidation
2.dozens 

Indigenous Peoplesintimidation

Period of incident: 30/11/2025 – 09/12/2025
Perpetrator: , Indonesian Military (TNI)
Issues: business, human rights and FPIC, human rights defenders, indigenous peoples

Military operations against indigenous village in Gearek District, Nduga Regency: One child killed, mother and sibling injured

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Human Rights Monitor

14 January 2026 / On 12 December 2025, Indonesian military forces (TNI) conducted a large-scale air and ground military operation against indigenous settlements in Woneworasosa village, Gearek District, Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province. The operation involved at least six military helicopters, aerial gunfire, and the deployment of mortar-type explosive ordnance in and around civilian homes, gardens, and livestock areas. The attack resulted in the killing of a seven-year-old child, serious injury to an indigenous woman, widespread destruction of civilian property, and the forced displacement of at least 539 civilians.

An investigation by the Papuan Foundation for Justice, Human Integrity (YKKMP) found no evidence of armed confrontation or resistance at the time of the attack. The military operation took place in a populated civilian area and caused severe humanitarian consequences.

On 10 December 2025, residents of Gearek District reported the presence of three military helicopters conducting surveillance flights over indigenous settlements without prior notification, coordination, or explanation. This activity caused widespread fear among the villagers. On 11 December 2025, the military presence escalated. Three helicopters and several drones again flew over Woneworasosa Village. Witnesses reported that helicopters dropped explosive devices near homes to facilitate troop deployment, while additional aircraft fired live ammunition from the air. Mortars reportedly exploded next to civilian houses, prompting panic among residents.

The operation reached its peak on 12 December 2025 at around 05:30 am, when six helicopters attacked from multiple directions. Mortar-type explosives were dropped near homes and gardens, and helicopters fired sustained gunfire onto residential areas. Roofs were perforated by bullets, walls were riddled with impact marks, livestock were shot, and solar panels and household interiors were destroyed (see photos below, source: YKKMP). The attack was carried out without warning and without prior armed hostilities in the area.

As residents attempted to flee, Arestina Giban, a seven-year-old girl (see photo on top, source: YKKMP), was shot in the back of the head while being carried by her mother, Mrs Wina Kerebea, 35. The child died instantly. Mrs Kerebea was injured by shrapnel from a mortar explosion, which became lodged in her right thigh (see photos below, source: YKKMP). Despite sustained gunfire from the air, she attempted to recover her child’s body while shielding her other child, who was reportedly also grazed by a bullet. Mrs Kerebea and her other child survived the attack but had to leave Arestina’s body behind.

Following the attack, residents fled into forests and neighbouring districts, including Pasir Putih and areas of Asmat Regency. Many spent days without food, shelter, or medical care. Military operations reportedly continued until 13 December 2025 at around 10:00 am. Searches for the child’s body between 14 and 16 December 2025 were unsuccessful, raising serious concerns about the enforced disappearance or concealment of remains.

As late December 2025, most residents remained internally displaced due to trauma, fear of renewed attacks, and the destruction of their homes.

Human rights analysis

The documented events indicate serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. The use of aerial bombardment, mortar explosives, and live ammunition in densely populated civilian areas constitutes a breach of the principle of distinction and the principle of proportionality, which prohibit attacks directed at civilians and civilian objects.

The killing of Arestina Giban amounts to an arbitrary deprivation of life as regulated under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The circumstances of her death, including firing from military helicopters during a non-combat situation, meet the legal definition of extrajudicial killing. The failure to recover, identify, and return the body of the deceased child raises grave concerns under international standards governing the duty to investigate potentially unlawful deaths, including obligations to preserve evidence and ensure the dignity of the dead. Likewise, the injury of Mrs Wina Kerebea constitutes serious bodily harm, potentially amounting to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

The destruction of homes, food sources, livestock, and essential infrastructure, as well as the contamination of gardens by explosive remnants, violated civilians’ rights to adequate housing, food, health, and livelihood. The forced displacement of more than 500 civilians without safety guarantees or humanitarian assistance constitutes arbitrary displacement and exposes vulnerable populations, including women and children, to further harm.

Mrs Wina Kerebea (left) and her seven-year-old daughter Arestina Giban (right)

Photos showing the destruction of the military operation in the Woneworasosa village between 11 and 13 December 2025

Detailed Case Data
Location: Gearek, Nduga Regency, Highland Papua, Indonesia (-4.619625, 138.7794089) Woneworasosa village
Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Nduga, Gearek
Total number of victims: 3

#Number of VictimsName, DetailsGenderAgeGroup AffiliationViolations
1.1 Arestina Giban

female7 Indigenous Peoplesunlawful killing
2.1 Wina Kerebea

female35 Indigenous Peoplesill-treatment
3.1 

unknownIndigenous Peoplesill-treatment

Period of incident: 11/12/2025 – 13/12/2025
Perpetrator: , Indonesian Military (TNI)
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence, women and children

Indonesia’s election to the UN Human Rights Council was not due to human rights progress

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January 10, 2026 in Press Release Reading Time: 3 mins read

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Author: Jubi Admin – Editor: Arjuna Pademme

Jayapura, Jubi – Amnesty International Indonesia stated that Indonesia’s election as President of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) was not due to human rights progress at home or abroad.

Amnesty International Indonesia’s Executive Director, Usman Hamid, said the Minister of Human Rights’ boast that Indonesia “succeeded in winning” the position of President of the UNHRC because of the “Ministry of Human Rights” was a false boast that was not based on the facts.

He said the position rotates according to region around the world. This year it is the Asia Pacific region’s turn. Coincidentally, Indonesia is the sole candidate for this rotating position.

“So it’s not accurate to say that Indonesia achieved this position because it ‘seized’ it, let alone because of the Ministry of Human Rights. It’s also not accurate to say that this position was achieved because of progress on human rights at home or abroad,” said Usman Hamid in a written press release on Friday evening (January 9, 2026).

According to Usman, Indonesia’s domestic human rights reputation has actually worsened. In 2025, more than 5,000 people were arrested for demonstrations, and 283 human rights defenders were attacked.

Ironically, the Ministry of Human Rights tends to justify human rights violations. Most recently, the Minister of Human Rights even praised the drafters of the new Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), which clearly threatens human rights.

Indonesia’s international human rights reputation is weak. Indonesia tends to reject recommendations from the Human Rights Council to improve the human rights situation. “In 2022, for example, Indonesia rejected 59 of the 269 recommendations in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR),” he said.

He said these two situations create an irony: as President of the Human Rights Council, Indonesia will lead the review of member states’ human rights in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), especially since Indonesia will also be the object of the UPR review.

Furthermore, Usman continued, Indonesia’s UPR reports often differ from reality. In 2022, Indonesia only reported on Papua from the perspective of infrastructure and welfare, without mentioning the ongoing violence against civilians there.

Indonesia has shown little commitment to human rights and often advocates for permissive approaches such as dialogue or consensus with countries suspected of human rights violations.

He cited an example in 2022, after a report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights concluded that human rights violations in Xinjiang, China, potentially constituted crimes against humanity.

At that time, Indonesia rejected a motion to discuss the report, arguing that it would “not yield meaningful progress” because the proposal “did not receive the consent and support of the countries concerned.”

“This rejection contributed to the failure of the motion by a narrow margin, 19 votes against to 17 in favor, and 11 abstentions. “Indonesia also has a poor track record in granting access to UN special rapporteurs to visit Indonesia to examine the human rights situation,” he said.

Furthermore, in 2023, Indonesia rejected a request from the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of the Judiciary to visit Indonesia. That year, Indonesia rejected a request from the UN Special Rapporteur on Slavery, and in 2024, Indonesia rejected a request from the UN Special Rapporteur on Truth, Justice, and Reparations.

Usman said, therefore, through the position of President of the Human Rights Council, we can test Indonesia’s seriousness by seeing whether Indonesia actively encourages members of the Human Rights Council, including Indonesia, to agree on firm action regarding alleged human rights violations, accepts the recommendations made, and facilitates requests for official visits from independent experts and UN special rapporteurs.

According to him, the position of President of the UN Human Rights Council will mean nothing to Indonesia and is merely a matter of pride without alignment of human rights concerns in its foreign and domestic policies.

Previously, Indonesia was elected President of the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The office of President of the Council is held by the Permanent Representative Indonesian Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, replaces the previous official, Jurg Lauber of Switzerland.

This is Indonesia’s first presidency of the UN Human Rights Council since its establishment 20 years ago.

As president of the UN Human Rights Council for a one-year term, Sidharto will preside over the proceedings of the forum, which is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Indonesian ambassador will preside over three sessions of the UN Human Rights Council, scheduled for late February, June, and September 2026.

He will also oversee the review of the human rights records of Council member states, known as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

Sidharto stated that Indonesia has been a strong supporter of the UN Human Rights Council since its inception 20 years ago, as well as of its predecessor, the UN Commission on Human Rights.

“Our decision to move forward is rooted in the 1945 Constitution and in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, which mandates Indonesia to contribute to world peace based on freedom, peace, and social justice,” he told the attendees. delegation. (*)