2) New film on West Papua highlights ‘ecocide’
3) Indonesia seeks suspension of concessions against EU in palm oil dispute
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1) Malind Indigenous People Defend Their Customary Land Rights Under Intimidation
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. (*)
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2) New film on West Papua highlights ‘ecocide'
RNZ Pacific reporters
2.28 pm today
Armed conflict is not the only frontline for West Papuans in their struggle against Indonesian rule, according to a new film.
The documentary 'Pesta Babi (Pig Feast)' had its world premiere in Auckland at the weekend to kick off a West Papua Forum organised by the West Papuan solidarity movement in New Zealand.
The film is produced by renowned West Papuan journalist Victor Mambor and directed by Dandhy Dwi Laksono.
Both were in Auckland for the event to discuss their work which looks at how Papuan communities are deeply impacted by development promoted by Indonesia in their homeland.
The impacts of deforestation due to ongoing agri-business development in Papua's southern region, spanning close to the border with Papua New Guinea, are also linked to the foothold of Indonesia's military in West Papua.
Indonesia's military forces are engaged in an ongoing, sporadic conflict with militant groups of the West Papua Liberation Army.
The Indonesian government's National Strategic Project is zeroing in on two million hectares of forest for sugarcane plantations and rice fields.
Jakarta says it will bring much needed develpoment to Papua, but Papuans say the activity is killing their people, their culture and the region's biodiversity.
Following other regional deforestation due to oil palm development, it has caused disruption to the traditional eating habits of indigenous Papua communities and alienation from their land.
Papuan representatives at the forum said criticism or protest about the development from communities was often met with attention from the military who used force to silence dissent
Additionally, the deforestation is adding to climate change and threatrening the precious biodiversity of Papua region.
The weekend's forum included panels on militarisation of the region, environmental destruction, community organising, and human rights abuses.
Former New Zealand MP, Catherine Delahunty, said the forum heard powerful speeches both in person and on line from leaders and organisers from West Papua calling for support from New Zealand to counter the deforestation and militarisation of their country.
Delahunty, who is also West Papua Action Aotearoa's spokesperson, described 'Pesta Babi (Pig Feast)' as a "deeply disturbing film”.
"The film shows the collusion between Indonesian government,corporates and the military destroying 2.5 million acres of forest and undermining indigenous food sources, land rights and futures.
"It's vital for regional neighbours to understand that this creates increased climate risks for everyone on the planet as well being a disaster for West Papua," Delahunty said.
The Forum participants heard that the Pacific Island Forum and New Zealand's Government should "show some moral courage" and challenge the destruction of critical forests and displacement of thousands of people in West Papua, she said.
"It's not a domestic issue inside Indonesia - it's a regional human rights crisis and ecocide.”
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3) Indonesia seeks suspension of concessions against EU in palm oil dispute
WTO experts in January 2025 largely upheld EU restrictions on the use of palm oil in biofuels following complaints by Indonesia.
Agencies
Jakarta Sun, March 8, 2026
Indonesia will file for a suspension of concessions against the European Union at the World Trade Organization's (WTO) dispute settlement body over a palm oil case, Trade Minister Budi Santoso said Saturday. The move was taken after the 27-member bloc failed to meet a deadline to adjust its policy based on the WTO body's ruling and recommendation in a palm oil dispute case, the Trade Ministry said in a statement. WTO experts in January 2025 largely upheld EU restrictions on the use of palm oil in biofuels following complaints by Indonesia. Trade Minister Budi Santoso said the suspension of concessions would be focused on goods, but added Indonesia was "open" to asking the dispute settlement body permission to apply the measure to other sectors. "We will ensure that the losses are accurately calculated and the case is handled effectively while simultaneously maintaining bilateral relations with the EU," Budi said in a statement.
The dispute concerns the EU Renewable Energy Directive of 2018 (RED II), which limited the eligibility of crop-based biofuels to count towards member states' renewable energy targets, and phased out the eligibility of palm oil-based biofuels altogether by 2030.
The EU has deemed that the production of palm oil is not sustainable. Indonesia took the move to safeguard its rights in the future if the EU could not adhere to the WTO panel's ruling, Budi said. He did not specify which obligations the EU had failed to comply with. Suspension of concessions is a temporary trade sanction which, under the WTO dispute settlement body, can be filed against another WTO member to enforce compliance with a dispute ruling.
The dispute concerns the EU Renewable Energy Directive of 2018 (RED II), which limited the eligibility of crop-based biofuels to count towards member states' renewable energy targets, and phased out the eligibility of palm oil-based biofuels altogether by 2030.
The EU has deemed that the production of palm oil is not sustainable. Indonesia took the move to safeguard its rights in the future if the EU could not adhere to the WTO panel's ruling, Budi said. He did not specify which obligations the EU had failed to comply with. Suspension of concessions is a temporary trade sanction which, under the WTO dispute settlement body, can be filed against another WTO member to enforce compliance with a dispute ruling.
In 2019, Indonesia, the world's leading producer of palm oil, requested an expert panel review of the EU restrictions.
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