1) Between Refugees in Intan Jaya and Gold Mine in Wabu Block

2) Highland Papua seeks to boost human development index  

3) UK Government reaffirms support for UN visit to West Papua

4) Cartenz Peace Task Force: Clash Between Two Factions in Puncak Jaya Election Leaves 12 Dead

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A google translate.

Original Bahasa link

https://jubi.id/polhukam/2025/antara-pengungsi-di-intan-jaya-dan-tambang-emas-di-blok-wabu/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJf11BleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHiOcQc_mC4GtOTcKwqc6XGI4CABHn4I5rudeBdHtypbiDY6ojiUDzQ3tWsh-_aem__9LriwkILcb4gbuMHVaElg

1) Between Refugees in Intan Jaya and Gold Mine in Wabu Block 

Penulis: Dominggus A Mampioper Editor: Alberth Yomo

Arga Reysamputra Last updated: April 6, 2025 7:05 pm

The Papuan student front in Jakarta rejects mining in the Wabu Block in Intan Jaya Regency in front of the DPR RI building in Senayan, Jakarta recently - Jubi/doc

Jayapura, Jubi – Today in Intan Jaya Regency and Pegununungan Bintang Regency, Papua Mountain Province is still in turmoil. Refugees fled their villages and gardens due to armed conflict.

The Intan Jaya Regency Government moved quickly by sending food aid to them.

The locations that accommodate evacuees include the Janamba community who fled to Hitidipa, Sugapa and the Parish Center while other residents chose to remain in Janamba Village.

The Regent of Intan Jaya Regency, Aner Maisini, explained to Ceposonline.com, Wednesday (2/4/2025), that the community heard gunshots on March 27-28 around the TNI POS in Migatapa. The community became increasingly panicked when they heard the sound of three helicopters and three planes flying overhead. This situation finally made residents decide to evacuate to various places.

However, the Regent of Intan Jaya emphasized that the security situation there was safe and under control and activities were running smoothly. Regardless of the pros and cons of the conflict there, the conditions and existence of residents there should remain safe as expected by all parties.

Intan Jaya Regency is now one of the districts in Central Papua that will become a new exploitation area with the Wabu block gold mine in the midst of the economic crisis that has hit the world. Meanwhile, the Indonesian government itself must find a solution so that the APBN deficit and foreign debt can be overcome under the Prabowo Subiyanto administration.

This can be seen from the construction of a smelter factory in Gresik for the processing and refining (smelter) of copper into copper cathodes in the JIIPE Gresik Special Economic Zone (KEK) in East Java Province.

The smelter factory owned by PT FI is claimed to be the largest single line design in the world capable of processing concentrate with a production capacity of up to 1.7 million tons after full operation.

"The copper cathode product produced can reach 600,000-700,000 tons per year, producing 50 tons of gold per year, and 150-200 tons of silver. In addition to producing copper cathodes, this smelter will produce by-products including products contained in the anode mud, namely pure gold and silver as much as 6,000 tons per year. " This was quoted by jubi.id from the internet page www.cnbcindonesia.com, Sunday (6/4/2025).

Of course, this smelter factory does not only receive concentrate from other mining locations including in Sumbawa, the company formerly known as PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Now managed by PT Sumbawa Timur Mining (STM) is a joint venture company between Eastern Star Resources Pty Ltd (80%), a subsidiary of Vale Base Metals, and PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (20%).

PT Aneka Tambang also has a mining concession area in Pegunungan Bintang Regency, citing CNN Indonesia, December 23, 2014 reported that the Antam mining industry had found large gold reserves in the Papua conservation forest.

"PT Aneka Tambang found new gold reserves in Pegunungan Bintang, with a mining potential of 1 billion tons," as quoted from www.cnnindonesia.com.

In addition to Antam, there are other companies that have found other gold reserves in Nabire, including PT Nabire Bhakti Mining, PT Irja Estern and PT Iriana Mutiara Indenberg.

Meanwhile, the Wabu Block, reported by various sources, is said to have a gold mining potential in Intan Jaya Regency of 8.1 million troy ounces.

Although the gold potential is only found in Nabire, Paniai and Intan Jaya Regencies and the Bintang Mountains. What about the attitude of the local government? During the administration of the late Governor of Papua Lukas Enembe, he clearly rejected the permit in the Wabu Block because he was still listening to the opinions of residents around the Wabu block mine.

Now the land of Papua has been divided into six provinces and the Migani land area (Intan Jaya) where the Wabu Block mine is located has been included in the administrative area of ​​Central Papua Province.

Intan Jaya Regent Abner Maiseni emphasized that as long as there is no development in Intan Jaya Regency, there will be no Wabu Block operations. "On this stage I say, as long as there is no development in Intan Jaya, during that time there will be no expansion and no operations in the Wabu Block," as quoted from the papuaposnabire.com website during a thanksgiving event together in Sugapa, the capital of Intan Jaya Regency, on Thursday (13/3/2025).

Both the mining potential in the Wabu Intan Jaya Block and in Pegunungan Bintang Regency, there are two giant mining companies in Mimika Regency called PT Freeport Indonesia and in the neighboring country PNG near Pegunungan Bintang Regency, a company called Ok Tedi Mining.

Learning from PT Freeport Indonesia and also the gold mine in Ok Tedi Papua New Guinea is the problem of tailings or remaining mining sand. PT Freeport Indonesia dumps directly into the Aijkwa River while Ok Tedi Mining in PNG goes directly to the Fly River which borders directly with South Papua Province.

If the Wabu Block is mined and also mining from PT Aneka Tambang in Pegunungan Bintang begins exploration amidst economic pressure and rejection from residents. To what extent is the role of the authority of the Central Papua and Papua Pegunungan Provincial governments to negotiate and provide a win-win solution with the central government and investment parties so as not to sacrifice residents and also damage the environment? (*)

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https://en.antaranews.com/news/350741/highland-papua-seeks-to-boost-human-development-index

2) Highland Papua seeks to boost human development index  

April 5, 2025 19:18 GMT+700

Wamena, Highland Papua (ANTARA) - The Highland Papua provincial government is looking to improve the Human Development Index (HDI) in the region by encouraging synergy between various stakeholders.

According to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the HDI of Highland Papua Province in 2024 stood at 54.43 percent—the lowest reading in Indonesia.

Acting Governor of Highland Papua Velix V. Wanggai said here on Saturday that to improve the HDI in the region, several sectors must be prioritized.

They include education, health, economy, infrastructure, people's empowerment, and cooperation between the government and international agencies, he added.

"We need to increase access to primary and secondary education, boost the quality of education through teacher training, and improve school infrastructure," he said.

He further said that it is important to improve access to basic health services, such as local health centers and hospitals, enhance the quality of health services by providing training for healthcare workers, and improve healthcare infrastructure.

"The key is to raise health awareness within the community so that the health index in Highland Papua can improve," he added.

In the economic sector, he talked about ways to increase job opportunities and improve entrepreneurial skills, as well as upgrade the quality of infrastructures, such as roads and ports, that support the economy.

Furthermore, it is necessary to enhance the quality of basic infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and clean water, and improve access to information and communication technology.

It is also important to realize community participation in the development process by enhancing community capacity to manage existing natural resources.

"By implementing these strategies, we can improve the HDI in Highland Papua and enhance public life quality," Wanggai said. 

Related news: Deputy minister pushes civil servant development in Papua

Related news: Papua's human development index rose 1.30 percent in 2019: BPS

Translator: Yudhi, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution

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https://www.ulmwp.org/uk-government-reaffirms-support-for-un-visit-to-west-papua

3) UK Government reaffirms support for UN visit to West Papua

April 4, 2025 in News

The British government restated its commitment to a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights visit to West Papua on Tuesday 2nd April, after being questioned over its 2024 critical minerals agreement with Indonesia.

The Oral Question was asked by Alex Sobel, MP for Leeds Central and Headingley and Chair of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP). In an historic moment witnessed by ULMWP Interim President Benny Wenda and a representative of the West Papua Council of Churches (WPCC), Mr Sobel asked the following of Indo-Pacific Minister Catherine West:

“In 2018, President Joko Widodo promised the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights that he would be allowed to visit West Papua. No visit has yet been facilitated by Indonesia, although two High Commissioners have been and gone. Without such a visit, it is impossible to assess the real human rights situation. Will the Minister ensure that the UK does not engage in critical minerals extraction in West Papua before such a visit takes place?”

Ms West, herself an IPWP signatory, reaffirmed the UK’s support for the visit in her answer:

“The UK continues to support the visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and, through initiatives such as the voluntary principles on security and human rights, and the UK-Indonesia critical minerals MOU—signed off by you, Madam Deputy Speaker—the Government promote best practice on sustainability and respect for human rights.”

The UN visit has been demanded by more than 110 member states, including all member states of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), the European Commission, and individual nations including Spain and the Netherlands.

2024 UK-Indonesia critical minerals deal risks inflaming ecocide and militarisation in occupied West Papua. Indonesia is the world’s largest nickel producer, and West Papua contains some of its most significant nickel sities, including the Gag Island project in Raja Ampat, Indonesia’s third or fourth-largest nickel mine, and the Siduarsi nickel-cobalt project, west of Jayapura. If West Papua is not excluded from the deal, the UK will ensure its complicity in green colonialism.

The Oral Question is part of an increase in Parliamentary scrutiny of Indonesia’s occupation of West Papua, with a House of Lords debate, APPG meeting, and written question all having taken place in recent months.

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https://en.tempo.co/read/1993867/cartenz-peace-task-force-clash-between-two-factions-in-puncak-jaya-election-leaves-12-dead

4) Cartenz Peace Task Force: Clash Between Two Factions in Puncak Jaya Election Leaves 12 Dead

  Reporter Nandito Putra April 6, 2025 | 10:38 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Head of the Cartenz Peace Task Force, Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, stated that the conflict between two factions supporting regional head candidates in the Puncak Jaya regional election in Central Papua has left 12 people dead. The fatalities occurred during several clashes over the past three months.

"Based on our data collection, there are a total of 12 fatalities. Eight of them are from the faction supporting candidate pair number 1," Faizal stated in a written release on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

The Puncak Jaya Regency election is contested by two candidate pairs, namely Yuni Wonda and Mus Kagoya (pair number 1), and Miren Kogoya and Mendi Wonorengga (pair number 2).

The conflict between the supporters of the candidates for Puncak Jaya Regent peaked after the Constitutional Court granted the petition of candidate pair number 1, Yuni Wonda-Mus Kagoya. In their petition, they alleged that there had been structured, systematic, and massive violations. One of them was the alleged sabotage in the distribution of logistical support by candidate pair number 2 in four districts.

In response to the petition, the Constitutional Court ordered the General Election Commission to conduct a re-tabulation. The court instructed the re-tabulation to be held in 22 districts in Puncak Jaya.

Prior to the dispute over the results of the Puncak Jaya Regional Election, candidate pair number 2, Miren Kogoya and Mendi Wonerengga, garnered 111,079 votes, leading by 25,277 over their competitors.

Aside from the dozen fatalities, Faizal revealed that the clashes resulted in 658 injuries. Of these, 423 were supporters of candidate pair 01 and 230 were supporters of candidate pair 02.

He stated that the clashes also caused significant material losses. A total of 201 buildings were burned down, including 196 residential units, one school building (SD Pruleme Belakang Toba Jaya), one Trikora village hall office, one Irimuli district office, one Gelora Party office, and one Pagaleme village hall office.

Faizal also mentioned that the clashes between the two factions supporting the regional head candidates in Puncak Jaya were exploited by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB). He stated that several of the fatalities were suspected to have been shot by the KKB. "They took advantage of the political situation during the regional election. This is a serious concern for us, as the KKB deliberately capitalizes on the conflict situation to carry out their actions," he said.

Editor's Choice: Cartenz Peace Task Force Claims Weapons Supplier for TPNPB-OPM Comes from Mindanao, Philippines

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1) Benar News. A letter from the editors

2) Free meals program running in eight districts of Highland Papua: Govt  

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https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/letter-from-editors-benarnews-pauses-operations-04022025104657.html

1)  Benar News. A letter from the editors 

As BenarNews pauses its operations, we want to thank our audience for your loyalty and trust in us. 

2025.04.02

After 10 years of reporting from across the Asia-Pacific, BenarNews is pausing operations due to matters beyond its control.

The U.S. administration has withheld the funding that we rely on to bring our readers and viewers the news from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, the Philippines and island-states and territories in the Pacific.

We have always strived to offer clear and accurate news on security, politics and human rights, to shed light on news that others neglect or suppress, and to cover issues that will shape the future of Asia and the Pacific.

Only last month, we marked our 10th anniversary with a video showcasing some of the tremendous but risky work done by our journalists.

Amid uncertainty about the future, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank our readers and viewers for their loyalty and trust in BenarNews.

And to Benar journalists, cartoonists and commentary writers in Washington, Asia, Australia and the Pacific, thank you for your hard work and passion in serving the public and helping make a difference. 

We hope that our funding is restored and that we will be back online soon. 

Kate Beddall 
Managing Editor

Imran Vittachi
Deputy Managing Editor

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https://en.antaranews.com/news/350677/free-meals-program-running-in-eight-districts-of-highland-papua-govt

2) Free meals program running in eight districts of Highland Papua: Govt  

April 4, 2025 19:08 GMT+700

Jayawijaya, Highland Papua (ANTARA) - The Education and Culture Office of Highland Papua ensured that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program is operational across eight districts in the province.

The districts benefiting from this initiative include Jayawijaya, Lanny Jaya, Tolikara, Nduga, Central Mamberamo, Pegunungan Bintang, Yahukimo, and Yalimo.

Head of the Education and Culture Office of Highland Papua Aron Wanimbo stated when contacted here on Friday that the free meals program represents a significant move by the central government to nurture Indonesia's golden generation.

"This is a really good program. The central government has prepared breakthroughs in preparing a golden generation for Indonesia in 2045, one of which is starting by providing nutritious meals to students in Indonesia," he elaborated.

According to the office head, this program is highly feasible to be implemented in all educational institutions across eight districts in Highland Papua.

Wanimbo explained that Acting Governor of Highland Papua Velix V Wanggai had directed that the MBG program be adapted to the unique circumstances of Highland Papua.

"It must be contextual, for instance, the cooking process must involve women in the church, youth, and PKK (Family Empowerment and Welfare teams)," he remarked.

Wanimbo further noted that his office fully supports the free meals program and continues to coordinate with the education offices in the eight districts.

The Indonesian government officially launched the free nutritious meals program on January 6, 2025, as one of the main programs of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka for their 2024–2029 term.

Through the program, the government aims to improve the nutritional intake for children under five, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and schoolchildren up to high school level. 

Related news: Govt mulls using e-motorbike taxis for free meals delivery

Related news: Free meal program five times weekly in Highland Papua

Related news: Papua vulnerable communities prioritized for free meals: BGN

Translator: Yudhi Efendi, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala

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Urbanisation and deforestation threaten indigenous noken weaving

Photos in article

https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2025/04/04/urbanisation-and-deforestation-threaten-indigenous-noken-weaving/

Te Ao Māori News

Urbanisation and deforestation threaten indigenous noken weaving

                                                The string is also woven into traditional clothing. Photo: Supplied.

Urbanisation and environmental destruction threaten the Indigenous noken-weaving practices in South Papua Province, Indonesia, home to what’s been called the world’s largest deforestation project.

Noken/Men: Bags of the Muyu Tribe of South West Papua exhibition at the University of Auckland is part of Veronika Kanem’s PhD submission.

The research focuses on her father’s tribe, the Muyu people and their string bags. She analyses the mobility of the people, their gift-giving story and the environmental destruction that is happening in her homeland.

Noken is a traditional string bag made of various natural fibres of trees and plants, and the Muyu people they call it men and they are made from the genemo tree (Gnetum gnemon).

“Noken is a very embedded in our life as part of our identity because we wear noken from the birth to the death,” Kanem said. 

“The exhibition is also a way to give something back to my community.”

Kanem said these bags contain the social and cultural values of the Muyu people.

Men hold machetes and axes for gardening, are given as gifts, used in cultural ceremonies, bridewealth payment and child initiation into adulthood. 

They are also woven as gifts to give their husbands to show love and affection. Or gifted to strengthen relationships with extended family. Decorated men are given to significant guests (religious or government leaders) to show respect.

Noken symbolise a woman’s womb or a source of life as it is used to carry babies, piglets,and and garden harvests. 

Women weave the bags in between their domestic tasks of cleaning, gardening, and pig farming. Some weave while taking care of the children and while selling their garden produce at the market. 

“My message is for the Noken women in West Papua,” she said, “I want them to keep weaving their Nokens, keep weaving their knowledge because by doing the weaving we’re also defending our land, our forests.”

Massive deforestation project threatens the indigenous weaving practice

Last year Te Ao Māori News spoke to Rosa Moiwend of the Marind-Anim tribe in Merauke whose land is being targeted with 1.6 million hectares of indigenous forests to be destroyed and replaced with rice fields and sugar cane plantations. 

This is part of Indonesia’s National Strategic Project to help Indonesian self-sufficiency in food and energy. The project is managed by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Agriculture. 

“The Marind tribe are in great danger because of this,” Kanem said.

“If you destroy the forests, you destroy our identity.”

The movement from villages to cities risks loss of tradition across generations

The mobility of the Muyu people from rural villages to urban Merauke threatens the continuation of their traditional men’s weaving practices.

According to Kanem, urbanization is driven by the search for educational and employment opportunities. However, The distance between Maropko and Merauke is 524 km, which takes about 13 hours by car, and even longer during the rainy season.

Once they’ve moved, Muyu women can struggle to access genemo fibres needed to make men’s woven garments. They often have to wait for people to travel the long distance from the villages to sell the fibres at the market. 

To sustain the cultural practice of men’s weaving, urban women must spend significant amounts of money to purchase the inner fibres. While many urban women no longer practice the art form, those who can are encouraged to teach and pass on the knowledge to younger generations to ensure the skills are not lost.

Māori may resonate with the impacts of urbanisation in loss of cultural practices and disconnection from land - in the 20th century within 50 years they went from 83% rural to 83% urban.

Noken recognised as UNESCO heritage, still at risk of being lost

On December 4th, 2012, in Paris, the Noken was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 

UNESCO, established in 1945, adopted the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2003.

The aim of the text was to preserve cultural diversity and protect and promote elements essential to the cultural identity of communities.

Intangible cultural heritage includes not only monuments and collections of objects, but also the knowledge and skills required to produce traditional crafts, such as the Noken. 

It also encompasses performing arts, festivals, social practices, rituals, and knowledge related to nature and the universe.

Despite this the Papuan Noken is still a threatened cultural practice due to massive deforestation happening in West Papua.

The exhibition is running until July 3 at the University of Auckland’s General Library.

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1) Traditional West Papua craft on display in Auckland

2) Police Clearance Required for Foreign Journalists, YLBHI Cites Press Law Violation  

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https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/557048/traditional-west-papua-craft-on-display-in-auckland

1) Traditional West Papua craft on display in Auckland 

18 minutes ago  

Susana Suisuiki, Pacific Waves Presenter/Producer

@SanaSuisuikiRNZ susana.suisuiki@rnz.co.nz 

Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific Bulletin Editor 

Veronika Kanem, far right, with her West Papua students from Palmerston North. Photo: Lagi Maama Academy & Consultancy

A PhD candidate from West Papua has launched an exhibition at the University of Auckland based on her research into 'noken', or finely woven string bags.

Veronika Kanem has spent the past four years researching the traditional craft, particularly within the Muyu Tribe of Southern West Papua.

The noken bag is often used in cultural ceremonies, bridewealth payment, or a child's initiation into adulthood.

The bags are painstakingly created from various natural fibres of plants and tree bark.

Kanem told Pacific Waves people should not view it as a knick-knack as it represents identity and carries cultural significance for the people of West Papua.

"This is how I just try to spread awareness and also let people know that noken is not just a souvenir," she said.

"It connects us to our land, to our forest, where the materials are gathered from our forest.

"The noken [are] usually [used] as a gift to strengthen and maintain our relationship with our family, with friends, with trading partners, or also establish a new connection to new people or visitors.”

West Papua students from Palmerston North. Photo: Lagi Maama Academy & Consultancy

Kanem said the feedback on her exhibition has been really positive.

"People are so excited and so impressed with the work.

"It is not me, but this is my community, the Muyu tribe, from my father's side. I'm so proud to introduce this work.

"It is not only my PhD thesis, actually, but this is my people's works, especially the women, and this is also part of like - I reciprocate what they have given to me, their knowledge, their time. So this is actually for my community."

Kanem is concerned at the Indonesian government's proposed deforestation project, saying it is a "threat" to her community.

Last year the Indonesian government proposed its plan to establish 2 millon hectares of sugarcane plantations in the Merauke district in the southern area of Papua.

She said if the deforestation project goes ahead, her people's traditions will cease to exist.

"There are a lot of government projects and emissiaries that want to take over our land and our forest, which will threaten our noken weaving, because the material for making these bags, it is from the forest.”

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https://en.tempo.co/read/1992863/police-clearance-required-for-foreign-journalists-ylbhi-cites-press-law-violation

2) Police Clearance Required for Foreign Journalists, YLBHI Cites Press Law Violation  

Reporter Eka Yudha Saputra April 2, 2025 | 05:15 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chairperson of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Muhammad Isnur, has criticized a new Indonesian Police Regulation that mandates oversight of foreign journalists and researchers covering events within the country.

The regulation, National Police Regulation No. 3 of 2025 concerning Functional Supervision of the Police towards Foreigners, was issued by the Chief of the Indonesian Police, Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and signed on March 10, 2025.

Article 5, paragraph (1), point b of the regulation stipulates that the police will conduct administrative supervision by issuing a police clearance to foreign nationals engaged in journalistic activities and research in designated locations. “This goes against several existing laws, such as the Press Law and the Immigration Law,” Isnur told Tempo on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

Isnur argued that the regulation creates an overlap with the authority of the Ministry of Immigration and Civil Registration. He explained that since the supervision of foreign citizens typically falls under immigration jurisdiction, this new regulation will generate administrative complications.

Furthermore, Isnur asserted that the regulation contradicts existing legal frameworks and has the potential to lead to violations. He also warned that it could trigger international backlash concerning human rights. He emphasized that the regulation risks limiting access to information for the international community and treating foreign journalists as potential threats.

“I think this will place Indonesia in a worse light in the eyes of the democracy,” Isnur stated.

Tempo has attempted to obtain confirmation from the Head of the Public Relations Division of the Indonesian National Police, Inspector General Sandi Nugroho, and Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas via WhatsApp. However, as of the time of this report, neither has responded to these inquiries.

The regulation was enacted in Jakarta on the same date by the Director General of Legislation of the Ministry of Law.

The controversial articles include Articles 4 and 5. Article 4 outlines the functional supervision of the police towards foreigners, encompassing both administrative and operational supervision. Article 5, paragraph (1), specifies that the administrative supervision includes requesting information from those providing accommodation to foreigners regarding the foreigners' data. 

Additionally, it authorizes the police to issue police clearances to foreign nationals conducting journalistic activities and research in specific locations. These specific locations, as mentioned in paragraph (1), are to be determined in accordance with the provisions of existing legislation. 

Editor's Choice: YLBHI: TNI Law Brings 'A Darker Indonesia' Closer

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