1) Military personnel arbitrarily detain two indigenous Papuans at TNI Post in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya
Human rights analysis
Document ID: HRM-CAS-073-2026
Region: Indonesia > Central Papua > Intan Jaya > Sugapa
Total number of victims: 2
| # | Number of Victims | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1. | 1 | Erner Kobogau | diverse | 24 | Indigenous Peoples, Peasant | arbitrary arrest |
| 2. | 1 | Nopi Bagau | 23 | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Military (TNI)
Issues: indigenous peoples
Jayapura, Jubi – Questions surrounding the position of Yasinta Moiwend, also known as Mama Sinta, who publicly objected to her involvement in the documentary film Pesta Babi and later appeared at the Metro Jaya Regional Police Headquarters to file a report against the head of Pos Merauke’s Legal Aid Institute (LBH), are beginning to emerge.
Mama Yasinta Moiwend’s family responded officially through a video statement sent to the Jubi.id editorial team on Sunday (31/5/2026). According to the family, the clarification statement was recorded in Merauke on Saturday, 30 May 2026.
In the 6-minute and 41-second video, a man representing Mama Yasinta Moiwend’s family expressed deep concern over the loss of contact between the family and Mama Sinta. He outlined the family’s efforts to locate her and described the situation they are currently facing.
“We ask all parties in Wogekel Village, Merauke Regency, Papua Province, and across the Land of Papua to help monitor the alleged removal of Mama [Sinta], who was reportedly taken away and unilaterally used to file a report against LBH Merauke after the Pesta Babi documentary gained public attention,” he said.
He also claimed that the actions of certain individuals were creating divisions within the broader struggle of Indigenous Papuans.
“They are setting us against one another in our efforts to defend our customary lands in Papua,” he said.
The family also called on the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) to establish communication regarding the matter and requested the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) to monitor the case. They further urged the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) to oversee Mama Sinta’s whereabouts and condition.
The following is the full transcript of the family’s statement. Asterisks (**) indicate names that were censored
in the video.
Clarification Statement by the Family of Yasinta Moiwend in Merauke, Saturday, 30 May 2026
We, the family of Mama Sinta, wish to clarify concerns regarding her situation. Since Sunday, 24 May 2026,
we have lost contact with her. This occurred after Saturday, 23 May, when a video featuring Mama Sinta
Moiwend began circulating in the media.
At that time, we attempted to communicate with Mama, but starting on Sunday she was no longer in
contact with us, her family. We suspect that she was placed under pressure and that there had been a
deliberate and extended effort to obtain information
from Mama Sinta Moiwend.
On that Sunday, she did not spend the night at her home. Instead, she reportedly stayed at
a TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) post in Wogekel Village, Ilwayab District.
On Monday, 25 May, she was reportedly accompanied by () who was assigned to provide security for a
National Strategic Project (PSN) in Wanam Village, as well as by (). According to the family, (***) was also
involved in allegedly taking Mama away without the
family’s knowledge.
The family’s initial understanding was that on Sunday she had been transported by sea to Merauke. However,
on Monday, information emerged indicating that she would travel aboard a private jet belonging to (***) to Timika
and later to Boven Digoel Regency. It was
also possible that she had traveled directly to Merauke. At that point, we no longer knew her whereabouts.
It was not until Friday, 29 May, that we received new information when (***) and (***) returned. They reportedly
traveled by helicopter from Merauke to Wanam. Communication was then arranged through () using ()’s mobile phone
to contact Mama Sinta in Jakarta.
During that conversation, Mama Sinta reportedly asked (***) to send personal identification documents, including an
identity card (KTP), family card (Kartu Keluarga), as well as documents belonging to (***). Mama Sinta also reportedly
said that they would be
meeting with the President.
This communication took place after Mama had filed a report against the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) with the
Metro Jaya Regional Police in Jakarta. The second video that later circulated was recorded after the report had been filed.
We call on all parties in Wogekel Village, Merauke Regency, Papua Province, and across the Land of Papua to
monitor what we believe to be the alleged removal of Mama Sinta and her alleged use in filing a report against
LBH Merauke after the documentary
film Pesta Babi gained public attention.
We feel that certain individuals have deliberately created a system that pits our struggle against itself as we continue
to fight for our customary lands in Papua.
We also ask the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) to establish communication regarding this matter.
Furthermore, we call on the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia (Komnas HAM) and the
National Commission on Violence Against
Women (Komnas Perempuan) to monitor Mama Sinta’s whereabouts and situation.
We also ask those who have taken Mama to return her to us.
Our family feels that we have lost Mama because she was taken away without our permission. Until now, we do
not know her condition or whether she is safe in Jakarta, or whether she is facing intimidation or other forms of pressure.
Personally, as her child, I know her very well. We believe she may have been intimidated and pressured into
participating in and supporting activities that have taken place over the past three years, from 2024 to 2026.
In our view, this goes against Mama’s own wishes. We believe she has been placed in a position where her actions
support individuals whom we consider irresponsible and who are attempting to facilitate National Strategic
Projects (PSN) in Papua that threaten our forests
and livelihoods.
We ask all parties to monitor Mama Sinta’s whereabouts. We also call on people in Merauke, throughout Papua,
across Indonesia, and within the international community to pay attention to and stand against what we believe
are injustices occurring in Papua. (*)
Biak Numfor Police Chief, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Ari Trestiawan, told ANTARA on Monday evening the grenade was discovered during an inspection by the National Police bomb squad (Gegana) from Papua Police's Mobile Brigade unit. The explosive was safely detonated at about 6 p.m. local time.
Trestiawan said the bomb squad would resume inspections on Tuesday because the team had arrived in Biak only on Monday afternoon, limiting the scope of the initial operation. He urged residents to stay away from the blast site until authorities complete clearance work and declare the area free of explosive materials.
"Crime scene processing has not yet begun because the Gegana bomb squad is still conducting clearance operations," Trestiawan said.
Related news: Police confirm suspected bomb near GKPS church contains no explosives
Investigators have postponed a full forensic examination pending completion of sterilization efforts to ensure no additional explosives remain in the area, he added.
The explosion, believed to have originated from a World War Two-era bomb, killed five people, namely Deflin Raubaba, 41; Moris Raubaba, 24; Karmila Ayorbaba, 25; Israel Raubaba, 7; and Isril Raubaba, 5.
The blast also left three people missing and injured 19 others. Nine houses were damaged, affecting 10 families with a combined total of 55 residents, according to local authorities.
All 55 displaced residents are currently being housed in temporary shelters provided by the Biak Numfor regional government while emergency response and assessment efforts continue.
The explosion occurred at about 2:45 p.m. local time on Sunday in the Fisheries Complex area of Biak Kota Subdistrict in Biak Numfor, Papua. Authorities are continuing investigations into the incident.
Related news: Police confirm no bombs found at 10 schools in Depok
Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fransiska Ninditya
