2) Protection of Civilians Must Be a Priority in Resolving the Papua Conflict
3) Witnesses tell Merauke road project hearing they were never consulted
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https://en.jubi.id/indonesia-military-establishes-drone-command-centre-for-operations-in-papua/?_gl=1*15aaq3k*_ga*MTU0NTkyNDAxLjE3NzM5NjI3MDk.*_ga_ZZTT8RG182*czE3ODQyMzYyNTckbzEyMiRnMCR0MTc4NDIzNjI1NyRqNjAkbDAkaDA.*_ga_CNWVJ6KFKD*czE3ODQyMzYyNTckbzEyMCRnMCR0MTc4NDIzNjI1NyRqNjAkbDAkaDA.
1) Indonesia Military establishes drone command centre for operations in Papua
Jayapura, Jubi – The Indonesian Military (TNI) has established a new command and control centre for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, to support military operations in Papua.
The facility, named the Centralized Drone Command Center, was inaugurated on July 5 by Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and TNI Commander Gen. Agus Subiyanto at the Indonesian Army’s 754th Infantry Battalion (Yonif 754/ENK) complex in Timika, Central Papua.
The drone command centre will operate under the authority of the Joint Regional Defence Command (Kogabwilhan) III.
TNI spokesperson Brig. Gen. Muhammad Nas said the facility was built to strengthen the military’s use of unmanned technology through a more integrated and modern command system.
“Its presence is expected to enhance surveillance capabilities, information gathering and decision-making in the field,” Nas told Indonesia Defense Magazine.
He said the command centre forms part of the military’s broader effort to strengthen technology-based command and control systems.
“Its use will be adjusted to operational requirements and will continue to follow applicable regulations,” he said.
On the same day, Sjafrie and Agus also inaugurated the headquarters of Kogabwilhan III.
In a statement, the TNI Information Centre said the inauguration of both the Kogabwilhan III headquarters and the Centralized Drone Command Center formed part of efforts to strengthen Indonesia’s national defence system.
According to the statement, the Defence Ministry and the TNI are committed to accelerating the modernisation of defence infrastructure, improving operational readiness and recognising soldiers for outstanding service.
The TNI said strengthening defence infrastructure and supporting facilities in Papua is expected to improve military effectiveness while reinforcing Indonesia’s defence posture in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty. (*)
Jayapura, Jubi – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has emphasized that the protection of civilians, accountable law enforcement, and accelerated handling of internally displaced persons must be the government’s priorities in responding to the human rights situation as part of resolving the conflict in the Land of Papua.
These steps are considered important to prevent the increasingly widespread humanitarian impact caused by the ongoing conflict.
This message was conveyed by the Coordinator of the Human Rights Situation Monitoring Team Toward Humanitarian Dialogue in the Land of Papua (Tim Papua), Atnike Nova Sigiro, during a media briefing on the results of monitoring the fulfillment and protection of human rights in Papua during the January–June 2026 period.
The activity was part of a reflection on the implementation of the government’s social and security policies in the Land of Papua.
Atnike revealed that the various policies and resource allocations carried out by the government have not been able to significantly improve the security situation or the fulfillment of civil rights for the people of Papua.
“Although the government has implemented various policies and resource allocations, the security situation and civil rights conditions in Papua remain far from optimal. There were 42 recorded incidents of violence, the majority involving armed groups and security forces. This resulted in 59 fatalities, most of them civilians,” said Atnike Nova Sigiro in an electronic message received by Jubi on Wednesday (7/15/2026).
According to Atnike, the ongoing armed conflict has also contributed to the rising number of internally displaced persons, particularly in Central Papua Province and Papua Highlands Province.
She emphasized that the government needs to strengthen the protection of civilians, ensure accountability in law enforcement, and provide a rapid response to the needs of displaced persons.
These efforts are expected to minimize the humanitarian impact while also opening space for a more sustainable resolution of the conflict.
Responding to a question about the governance of internal displacement, Tim Papua member Amiruddin Al-Rahab emphasized the importance of meeting the basic needs of displaced persons, particularly vulnerable groups such as women and children.
“The government must pay closer attention to the condition of displaced persons, especially mothers and children, particularly with regard to health, education, and temporary shelter,” Amiruddin stressed.
According to the data, Amiruddin continued, more than 100,000 people have been recorded as displaced, and Komnas HAM is calling on all government agencies involved in the Land of Papua to immediately carry out intervention measures.
Amiruddin added that Komnas HAM has coordinated with a number of ministries and agencies, including the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs, the Coordinating Ministry for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Affairs, as well as other related ministries and agencies, to push for the handling of various issues in Papua.
Through this human rights situation monitoring, Komnas HAM hopes the government will further prioritize a dialogical and humanity-oriented approach in resolving the issues in Papua.
As an institution with a recommendatory function, Komnas HAM continues to provide various policy inputs and urges the government to take concrete steps to achieve more effective protection of human rights for all communities in the Land of Papua. (*)
Jayapura, Jubi – Two Indigenous witnesses told the Jayapura Administrative Court (PTUN) on wednesday that construction of a 135-kilometre road through their customary land in Merauke, South Papua, began without consultation or the consent of traditional landowners.
The testimony was heard during a court session reviewing a lawsuit challenging a decree issued by the Merauke regent approving the environmental feasibility of the road project.
The hearing was presided over by Chief Judge Merna Cinthia, with judges Irfan Amos Sampe and Adjadam Riyange Zulfachmi.
The lawsuit was filed by five representatives of the Malind Indigenous community against Merauke Regent Decree No. 100.3.3.2/1105/2025, which declares the 135-kilometre access road environmentally feasible. The road forms part of the Defence Ministry’s national food security project.
The case was registered with the Jayapura Administrative Court on March 5 under case number 9/G/LH/2026/PTUN Jayapura.
The first witness, Esau, told the court the road passes through customary land in Ilwayab District that belongs to his clan.
He said the clearing of customary forest had destroyed the community’s primary source of livelihood, including forests, wildlife and other natural resources.
“The community was never invited to any consultation before the project began. Even though we objected, the construction continued,” Esau told the court.
Esau also disputed claims made during the proceedings that certain individuals, including a village secretary, represented customary landowners. He said those individuals came from other villages and held no customary rights over the affected land.
He said the Indigenous Community Institution (LMA) was not the holder of customary land rights and had no authority to sell customary land.
“The LMA exists to represent the aspirations of Indigenous communities, not to sell land belonging to another clan,” he said.
Esau further testified that the removal of a red cross—a customary marker prohibiting access to the area—by the head of the LMA had been carried out without the consent of customary landowners and violated customary law.
He also said the government had never presented maps of the planned road, details of the land required, planning documents or environmental impact studies to the affected communities.
According to Esau, no project signboards were installed, leaving residents to learn about the development only through media reports.
“At the beginning, there was no map and no project sign. We had no information at all,” he said.
Esau said the project’s most significant impact had been the loss of forests, food sources and areas with cultural and spiritual significance.
He also said the environment had changed dramatically, with cooler forest conditions replaced by hotter temperatures, dust and declining water quality following land clearing.
He added that local communities had never been informed how the cleared land would be used or who would manage it.
“That is why the community continues to reject this project, because it was carried out without the permission or consultation of customary landowners,” he said.
The second witness, Hariston, testified that contractors entered the area in August 2024 without seeking permission or engaging with Indigenous landowners.
He said there had been no communication or public consultation before construction began.
“They came with a full military presence and heavy equipment. They cleared the land without our permission as its owners. That is why we have continued to oppose the project, but construction has gone ahead despite our objections,” Hariston said.
Hariston told the court he was appearing as a clan leader, a customary landowner and a resident directly affected by the project.
He said he opposed the development because it threatened the only ancestral land his clan still possessed.
According to Hariston, boundary markers installed by the project had at one point been removed, but no further dialogue or communication followed between the government and Indigenous communities.
He also said he had no knowledge of allegations that around Rp2 billion had been paid to certain parties in connection with the National Strategic Project (PSN).
Hariston testified that Indigenous communities had never been involved in consultations or discussions about the project since 2024.
He added that even if consultations had taken place before construction began, he would still have opposed the project because it involved not only the road but also the clearing of land for rice cultivation.
Initially, he said, communities believed the project was limited to road construction and rice fields. Later, they learned it also included a jetty and other supporting infrastructure that had never been disclosed.
“Wetlands that used to remain flooded have become much drier since the construction began. We continue to reject this project and demand that all work be stopped,” Hariston said. (*)
The operation, conducted on Monday, July 13, targeted farms located in the Kima and Air Garam villages within Yahukimo District.
The cannabis fields were uncovered by the Habema military task force during a mobile border patrol following a tip-off regarding illegal cultivation in the area.
After conducting surveillance to secure the territory, troops moved in to raid the plantations, recovering thousands of plants alongside traditional weapons.
"At the Kima village complex, personnel found approximately 3,000 cannabis plants," Habema task force spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel M. Wirya Arthadiguna said in a written statement.
"Meanwhile, at Air Garam village, around 2,000 cannabis plants were discovered, along with one bow and 26 arrows near the site."
Military authorities have launched an investigation alongside local police to identify the individuals responsible for cultivating the fields.
The military emphasized that the raid is part of a broader inter-agency strategy to combat drug trafficking and protect local communities in Papua.
"Together with relevant agencies, we will continue to synergize to prevent the distribution of narcotics so that Papua's next generation can grow up healthy, safe, and build their homeland," Arthadiguna added.
Related news: Papua police seize 19 kg of PNG cannabis in ongoing border crackdown
Related news: 80 percent of marijuana in Papua smuggled from PNG: BNN
Related news: Papua-police suspect cannabis trade for weapons in border
Translator: Walda Marison, Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Editor: Azis Kurmala
