Human Rights Monitor
Intensified land grabbing and militarisation in Biak, Supiori, and Waropen
The indigenous Byak community of Papua Province is facing an unprecedented crisis. State agencies, particularly the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), have launched a systematic land-grabbing campaign across the regencies of Biak Numfor, Supiori, and Waropen. Since late November 2025, approximately 1,700 military personnel have been deployed to these island regions under the guise of “territorial development”. Their presence has resulted in the forcible seizure of customary lands, the formation of counterfeit customary institutions, and the escalation of horizontal conflicts among indigenous communities.
Human rights defenders have documented the recent developments surrounding various land-grabbing incidents, drawing on testimonies from traditional leaders, human rights defenders, and affected communities. The situation represents serious violations of indigenous peoples’ right to determine over their customary lands and territories, as well as breaches of the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Local human rights defenders warned that the formation of three new TNI battalions has the potential to create human rights violations.
The current developments must be understood within the historical context of military operations in Biak. The region was designated a Military Operations Area (DOM) from 1965 to 1992, during which civilians were routinely suspected and stigmatised as separatists. The 1998 Biak Bloodshed, in which security forces attacked peaceful demonstrators, resulted in at least 8 deaths, 3 disappearances, 37 persons wounded, and 150 arbitrary detentions. Additionally, 32 mysterious bodies were found floating in Biak waters days later.
Biak Numfor Regency
The Impewer Land Dispute and Infantry Battalion TP 858
In the Impewer area of East Biak District, a major land dispute has erupted over plans to construct the headquarters for Infantry Battalion TP 858/MSB (see photo on top, source: independent HRD). On 6 January 2026, violence broke out when representatives from the Rumawak clan and other customary landowners attempted to conduct a traditional sasi (customary blockade) at the disputed location. TNI officers were already present at the site alongside individuals allegedly mobilised by the military, armed with traditional weapons including arrows, machetes, and samurai swords (see video below, source: independent HRD).
During the confrontation, members of the Fairiyo clan, the rightful owners of the customary land, were subjected to physical violence. Mr Bapa Fairiyo suffered a punch to the temple, resulting in facial bruising. Indigenous community members allege that the perpetrators, members of the Rejauw and Makmaker clans, have been manipulated by the TNI to legitimise the land seizure.
Ten clans from the Impewer area have formally declared their rejection of the military post construction. According to the clan chief, the individual who released the land to the TNI, Bernard Rejauw, is not the legal owner but merely a descendant of cultivators who received a land use permit in 1992, not a transfer of ownership rights.
The Impewer area holds significant ecological and cultural value. It contains archaeological sites and ancient ancestral graves, serves as habitat for animals, and functions as a rainwater catchment area with springs connected to underground rivers that supply drinking water to the broader Biak community. The Kankain Karkara Byak customary council has declared this land “the source of livelihood for our children and grandchildren in the future”.
Escalation of the land dispute over plans to construct the headquarters for Infantry Battalion TP 858/MSB, 6 January 2025
National spaceport project in Saukobye Village
The Warbon Indigenous Community of Saukobye Village in North Biak faces a separate but related threat from the planned construction of a national spaceport by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). This project has its origins in 1980, when LAPAN (BRIN’s predecessor) conducted a survey and reportedly acquired 100 hectares of land near the coast through a process marked by intimidation and coercion.
Community members recall that during the 1980 negotiations, military personnel threatened residents rejecting the project, accusing them of being OPM (Free Papua Movement) members. The community only discovered in 2002 that land release certificates had been issued. They represent the view that the land documents were fraudulently created using their signatures from attendance lists. The Warbon Indigenous Community does not recognise this release as legitimate.
In late 2025 and early 2026, BRIN officials visited the area seeking to expand their claim from 100 hectares to 500 hectares by adding 200 hectares of sea and 200 hectares of land. According to Manfun Apolos Sroyer, Chairman of the Byak Tribal Council, BRIN continues to assert that the original 100 hectares were legally acquired despite the community’s protests. Mr Sroyer himself was subjected to a series of intimidation and surveillance incidents between November and December 2025. The acts are allegedly linked to his peaceful leadership of indigenous opposition to the planned construction of new military (TNI) headquarters. The 100-hectare area claimed by BRIN is classified as a protected forest under the Biak Numfor Forest Area Map. BRIN has announced plans to accelerate spaceport construction, with land clearing scheduled to begin in 2026.
Drone video of the disputed area in North Biak, designated for the Indonesian National Spaceport
Formation of counterfeit customary institution
Human rights defenders have documented a disturbing pattern. State institutions facilitate the formation of counterfeit customary institutions to legitimise the transfer of customary land. These artificial structures bypass the legitimate Kankain Karkara Byak (KKB) customary council and its nine regional sub-councils. The practice has triggered serious conflicts and has the potential to create horizontal conflict between indigenous communities.
The Biak Indigenous Community Institution (LMA), which supports military deployment, claims the land releases are legal. In contrast, the KKB insists that these releases were conducted without proper customary deliberation, describing the process.
Supiori Regency
Military occupation of civilian facilities
In Supiori Regency, Infantry Battalions TP 859 and TP 860 have reportedly been deployed since late November 2025. Approximately 650 TNI personnel are currently stationed in Waktre Village, East Supiori District, where they have occupied the Supiori Regency Education Office building and residents’ homes.
Following the occupation of civilian buildings, the TNI has imposed severe restrictions on the local population. Taking photos or videos of the occupied facilities was prohibited, and residents were told not to be outside after 9 pm. These measures have created an atmosphere of fear and surveillance. Before the TNI presence, the Waktre Village was a peaceful and free community.
Ababiadi Village land dispute
On 4 December 2025, Kainkain Karkara Byak held an event in Ababiadi Village to share about sustainable natural resource management. During this meeting, three clans declared their firm stance not to relinquish their customary land for the construction of a military battalion headquarters, citing the limited area of customary land and its importance as their main source of livelihood.
On 9 December 2025, indigenous people of Ababiadi Village staged a demonstration against the village’s traditional leader, who had unilaterally decided to sell part of the customary land to the Indonesian military without the approval of the customary council. The KKB announced it would summon the traditional leader to be tried in accordance with customary law mechanisms.
Waropen Regency
The third new battalion, Infantry Battalion TP 860, has extended military presence to Waropen Regency. According to reports from local sources, approximately 300 security personnel have been deployed in the SP4 Botawa area, Oadate District. These personnel arrived by sea around 5 January 2026 and are using a company camp as their temporary residence.
The presence of such a large number of personnel has caused significant concern among the local community, particularly regarding impacts on civilian safety, socio-economic activities, and the potential use of non-military facilities for security purposes. Civil society organisations have noted that the formation of these battalions is likely intended to secure the Mega Spaceport Project in Biak and other strategic national projects.
YON TP 860/NSK Military Battalion sets up tents in Waropen Regency, 16 January 2026
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