2) Domberay Indigenous Youth Hold Cultural Camp to Preserve Papuan Identity
4) Suspected Food Poisoning Linked to Free Nutritious Meals in Depapre Affects More Than 100 Children
West Papuan independence separatists killed three Indigenous Papuans depicted in an execution-style video that has gone viral on social media across the occupied territory as a warning to "traitors" to their cause.
The West Papua National Liberation Army-Papua Freedom Organisation coalition has claimed responsibility for the shootings off the Trans Papua Highway in Yahukimo regency in the Highland Papua province last week.
The dual armed and political groups that are both seeking sovereign independence for the Western New Guinea archipelago from Indonesia ordered the executions through the command of Major Kopitua Heluka for the Yahukimo Papuan separatist group long associated with the armed wing of the broader West Papuan movement.
Major Heluka reported the Kodap XVI Yahukimo and Kodap III Ndugama Darakma regional military commands carried out the killings of the two men and one woman, who were accused of being intelligence agents the Indonesian military.
"We are fully responsible for the actions," West Papua National Liberation Army spokesperson, Sebby Sambom, confirmed in the statement.
Mr Sambom claimed the coalition has documented evidence showing the three victims were involved in assisting security authorities in their operations against the West Papuan push for independence.
He also relayed a threat, attributed to Major Heluka, against any Papuans acting as informants or agents for the Indonesian security apparatus amid the heavily-surveyed Yahukimo regency that they have been forewarned.
The Habema joint military operation, whose command has been operating in the territory since 2024 to improve coordination between the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the Indonesian police in areas affected by the long-running conflict with Papuan separatist groups, have claimed the three victims were innocent civilians and not informants.
Husband Kumis Kogoya, his wife Seli Wenda and an unidentified Unaukam tribal woman were killed in an ambush.
Habema chief spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel M Wirya Arthadiguna, said the loss of civilians' lives was not justifiable.
"Every Papua resident has the right to live safely, work, raise their families and build their future without fear," he said in an Indonesian National Armed Forces statement.
"The security apparatus will continue to coordinate to investigate the incident and chase down the perpetrators and enforce the law."
Lt Col Arthadiguna told the public steps have been taken to provide protection for Papuan people to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The video clip showed the married couple sitting roadside in front of a row of the West Papuan rebels holding firearms, machetes, bows and arrows, with the Morning Star independence Star flag, the historic symbol of West Papua separatism.
One of the separatists offered a statement in the video, accusing the couple of being intelligence agents for the Indonesian government before signalling to one of his militant colleagues holding a rifle to shoot them both.
The West Papua National Liberation Army-Papua Freedom Organisation coalition has claimed to have started to target Papuans they believe to be acting as Indonesian agents or assisting the national government, military and police forces to bring down the Indigenous separatist movement.
The West Papuan rebels had previously only targeted unknown newcomers from outside of the Papuan territory, who were largely ethnic Indonesian residents.
The armed wing for the independence separatism have declared certain regions a "war zone" and prohibited any military or police movement into those areas.
They have also banned civilian flights from entering the region, accusing such flights as being used to move security apparatus.
This most recently occurred last month when a humanitarian air service had been accused of transporting Indonesian military personnel and ammunition for an armed operation.
The West Papua National Liberation Army killed Nicholas Gosselin, an American pilot flying for Associated Mission Aviation, which has denied being behind the allegations of aiding and abetting Indonesian forces in the territory.
Western New Guinean topography is a predominantly mountainous area where many of its communities can only be reached by small airplanes.
While the humanitarian air service says it transports food, fuel and mail to remote communities across the territory, the separatists have accused the commercial carrier of "frequently dropping Indonesian security personnel" in violation of its mission goal.
2) Domberay Indigenous Youth Hold Cultural Camp to Preserve Papuan Identity
Sorong, Jubi – Indigenous youth from the Domberay customary region have
launched a cultural camp aimed at strengthening, preserving and revitalising Papuan cultural identity, which organisers say is gradually fading among younger generations.
The 2026 Domberay Indigenous Youth Jamboree, organised by Creative Project in partnership with Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture, is being held at Rumah Etnik in Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua Province, from 5–10 August 2026.
The event brings together 30 young Indigenous Papuans from across the Domberay
customary region to learn about traditional knowledge, ancestral rituals, Indigenous
languages, cultural values and philosophies that have been passed down through generations.
Organising committee chair Andrey Maryen said the jamboree was designed to bridge the transfer of cultural knowledge, traditions and customary practices from Indigenous elders to the next generation of Papuans.
“We hope this gathering will help revive cultural values that may have been forgotten
or are at risk of disappearing as younger generations lose touch with their identity,”
Maryen said on Wednesday. Maryen said the event was planned and organised entirely by Indigenous Papuan youth, demonstrating their ability to take the lead in preserving and promoting their own cultural heritage.
The week-long program will conclude on 11 August with a closing ceremony at Lambert Jitmau Hall in the Sorong mayoral office complex. Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Culture is expected to attend.
Throughout the week, participants will take part in cultural workshops, storytelling sessions with Indigenous elders, documentary photography and filmmaking training, and collaborative discussions involving different Indigenous sub-groups from across the Domberay region.
The jamboree opened with the Mansorandak traditional welcoming ceremony, a ceremonial sash presentation, performances by traditional music group Belantara, and guided tours of Rumah Etnik Papua and the Papuan Cultural Museum.
The event was officially inaugurated with a tifa drum ceremony led by Winarto, head
of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Centre for Southwest Papua, together with regional government representatives.
Julianus Limbeng, Director for Belief Systems and Indigenous Communities at Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture, praised the initiative, saying cultural preservation in Papua cannot rely solely on government institutions.
He said meaningful progress requires collaboration among all stakeholders,
particularly young people.
“Without young people to carry the torch, Papua’s extraordinary cultural heritage will
struggle to survive,” Limbeng said.
He added that the jamboree not only provides participants with valuable experience
but also helps them identify cultural assets that can strengthen Indigenous identity while creating future economic opportunities for local communities.
Representing the Sorong Regency administration, senior adviser Marthen Nebore said partnerships between Indigenous youth and local government are essential to uncover and promote forms of local wisdom that have yet to receive wider
recognition.
“Through our culture and customary values, we express who we are. There is still
enormous cultural potential that remains untapped, and together we can develop it
into something our region can be proud of,” Nebore said. (*)
Sentani, Jubi – Jayapura Regent Yunus Wonda says the local government has no immediate plans to declare a public health emergency following the suspected food poisoning incident linked to Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in Depapre District on Tuesday (4 August 2026).
Speaking to reporters at Yowari Regional Hospital (RSUD Yowari) after visiting patients on Wednesday evening (5 August), Wonda said it was too early to classify the incident as an Extraordinary Event (KLB), Indonesia’s official designation for a public health emergency.
“For now, we are allowing the situation to unfold. Whatever the government can do, we will do,” Wonda said.
The former speaker and deputy speaker of the Papua Regional Legislative Council
said authorities are still unable to determine what caused the suspected food poisoning, as laboratory testing of food samples is ongoing.
“We still don’t know whether it was caused by all of the food served or by a particular ingredient, such as the tempeh or the eggs. We cannot confirm that until the laboratory results are available,” he said.
The Jayapura Regency administration also said it had not yet confirmed the total number of people affected, as data collection was still underway. However, Wonda stressed that no fatalities had been reported and urged the public not to spread misinformation or false claims about the incident.
He added that patients whose conditions had improved would not be discharged immediately, saying all patients would remain under medical observation until they were fully recovered to prevent any recurrence of symptoms.
“This incident is an important lesson for all of us involved in preparing and providing meals for children. It is something we must take seriously,” Wonda said.
The suspected food poisoning case is being investigated by the Jayapura Police, which has processed the scene, secured evidence and coordinated with the Papua Regional Police Forensic Laboratory to examine food samples.
Investigators have collected samples including tempeh cooked in sweet soy sauce, leftover food, watermelon, used cooking oil, and three portions of MBG meals that had not yet been distributed. Police said all samples had been sent to the forensic laboratory for testing.
Investigators have also interviewed 30 witnesses, including people involved in the preparation and delivery of meals under the MBG program.
The investigation is focusing on the entire food preparation process, as well as the distribution system used to deliver meals to beneficiaries.
The exact number of suspected poisoning cases remains unclear.
Several sources have estimated that around 80 people were hospitalised across health facilities in Jayapura Regency and Jayapura City. However, legal counsel for the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) said the Depapre kitchen had distributed around 2,200 meal packages on the day of the incident to schools, community health posts and other beneficiaries across Depapre District.
Of those recipients, the lawyer said approximately 10 per cent, or about 220 people, were reported to have developed symptoms consistent with suspected food
poisoning. (*)
4) Suspected Food Poisoning Linked to Free Nutritious Meals in Depapre Affects More Than 100 Children
Jayapura, Jubi – The number of children suspected of suffering food poisoning after consuming meals provided under Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in Depapre District, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, rose sharply on Tuesday (4 August 2026), with health authorities reporting that the total had reached more than 100 people by Tuesday night.
The suspected victims came from several villages, including Wanya, Tablanusu, Tablasupa, Dormena, Yepase, Wambena, Kendate, and Nusu.
Depapre District Head Alva Tamaela confirmed that his office had coordinated with the Depapre Community Health Centre (Puskesmas) after reports emerged that children had fallen ill after eating meals distributed through the MBG program.
The first patients reportedly arrived at the health centre during the afternoon, experiencing symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea. Earlier reports indicated that around 11 people had initially been admitted for treatment, including preschool children, primary school students, junior high school students, a teacher from Kendate Village, and a child from Yepase Village.
However, by Tuesday evening, the number of patients had increased dramatically.
Jayapura Regency Health Office head Anton Mote, speaking at the Depapre Community Health Centre, said patients continued arriving in waves from different villages, overwhelming the facility’s emergency department.
According to Mote, the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) serving Depapre District had prepared around 1,500 meal packages for primary and junior secondary schools across seven villages.
“Between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., the number of patients arriving was estimated at between 100 and 150. Some did not stop at the Depapre health centre and went straight to Yowari Regional Hospital,” Mote said.
Because the Depapre health centre could no longer accommodate the growing number of patients, some were redirected to nearby health centres in Dosai, Waibhu, Sentani, and Komba, while others were taken to Yowari Regional Hospital (RSUD Yowari).
The emergency department at Yowari Regional Hospital also reached capacity, forcing authorities to erect an emergency tent in the hospital grounds.
Additional patients were admitted to Dian Harapan Hospital and Jayapura Central General Hospital (RSUP Jayapura), which is operated by Indonesia’s Ministry of Health. The hospital reportedly prepared 16 beds for patients requiring specialist treatment, and several patients were referred directly there.
Mote said patients requiring specialist care had already been evacuated, but the overall situation remained under control, including those in serious condition.
“We have mobilised all ambulances from community health centres to Depapre, along with several ambulances from hospitals in Jayapura city,” he said.
Tamaela called for tighter supervision of the SPPG service operating in Depapre and urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the implementation of the MBG program in the district.
“Our immediate priority is treating the hundreds of affected patients,” he said.
Jayapura Regency Council member Bob Banundi, who visited the Depapre Community Health Centre to monitor the emergency response, also called for an investigation.
He said additional ambulances, medicines, and medical personnel should be deployed from nearby health facilities to support treatment efforts.
“As a member of Commission C, which oversees the health sector, we will inspect the SPPG facility to ensure all procedures were carried out in accordance with regulations. We also urge the Indigenous community to remain calm and assist the medical response until all patients have been treated,” Banundi said.
As of publication, the head of the Depapre Community Health Centre had not responded to requests for comment regarding the suspected food poisoning cases. (*)
