2) Bishop of Timika's Thanksgiving Mass for the Maybrat Community in the Refugee Land
3) Collaboration key to boosting Southwest Papua's development: MPR
A google translate.
Original Bahasa link
1) Church: Military presence in Yuguru causes residents to leave their villages
Author : Larius Kogoya Editor : Arjuna Pademme Published June 28, 2025
Last updated: June 28, 2025 5:11 pm
Civilians from Yuguru Village on their way to leave their village-IST
Jayapura, Jubi – The Evangelical Tabernacle Church or KINGMIA in Tanah Papua stated that residents of several villages in Mebarok District, Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan are slowly leaving their villages.
Secretary of the KINGMI Church Classis in Tanah Papua Yuguru, Nopinans Kogoya said that residents left their villages because they were afraid and traumatized by the large military presence in Yuguru Village and its surroundings.
Nopinans Kogoya made this statement to Jubi via telephone call, Friday (6/27/2025).
According to him, some time ago TNI soldiers landed at Yuguru airport and immediately took control of several public facilities there. Not long after their arrival, one night a civilian named Abral Wandikbo was arrested, on charges that he was a member of the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization or TPNPB-OPM.
“Abral Wandikbo, after being arrested, [he] was taken and [allegedly] tortured and mutilated until he died. Not long afterward, the military conducted a sweep of residents’ homes, then in a number of villages, the residents’ homes were dismantled, damaged and destroyed,” said Nopinans Kogoya.
Kogoya said that since the incident, residents of 13 villages in Mebarok District have been afraid, traumatized and intimidated by the presence of the military in large numbers, with complete weaponry.
“The community chose to leave their hometowns. They went to the forest and nearby villages seeking comfort, protection and safety. There are residents who are still in the forest, even one by one going to the nearest areas to [Regency] Lanny Jayapura, Wamena, Timika, all the way to Jayapura,” he said.
He said, now the residents who are still in Aptam Village, Bone, Eregelmanggal, Lemurak, Mebarok, Narugim, Ngenamba, Olunmu, Pereki, Sabiem, Setmit, Siginimarem, Talpam and Yuguru are mostly elderly people who cannot walk far.
"Until now, the community has not returned to their village. The situation in Yuguru and its surroundings is quiet. The community's gardening place, the military also came in and set up a post there. Finally, the residents also feel they are not free to find food and garden," he said.
Nopinans Kogoya said, the military also damaged the Kingmi Church building there, so that the congregation worshiped in the yard.
His party also asked for the sending of military there to be stopped, and non-organic military to be withdrawn from Yuguru Village and its surroundings. The government is also expected to be able to protect and provide a sense of security to the community.
"We ask the Nduga Regency government to take care of civilians who fled their villages because they are afraid. Those in various areas such as Wamena, Jayapura, Lanny Jaya [must] have their right to life guaranteed," said Kogoya.
One of the Yuguru youths who did not want to be named said the same thing. According to him, since the presence of the military in Yuguru, it has caused residents to be afraid. Nine villages in the Mebarok District are now empty. Residents chose to leave their villages.
For example, residents of Unggutmu Village, Kerambuwanit, Yimiri 1 and Yimiri, Nunggupuksarak, Kuib, Tunggirid, Osabiem and Borom Church Village. They went to the forest and other areas that were considered safe.
"[Residents of] the nine villages, until now they are still in the forest because they are afraid of gunfire, afraid of the sound of helicopters and afraid of the presence of the Indonesian military called Post Taipur Indonesia in Yuguru," he said by telephone to Jubi.
The young man said that residents of other villages who had not previously fled for protection had also left their villages since the mutilation of Abral Wandikbo.
"They witnessed with their own eyes how Abral Wandikbo was tortured, beaten, mutilated because they were afraid so they ran to find a safe place. There were several civilians who were interrogated, intimidated, [and received] threats from the Indonesian military, including my father, who was also intimidated," he said.
He said, residents of Mebarok District asked the team that freed the New Zealand pilot some time ago and the Nduga Regency Government to provide security and comfort guarantees.
"The residents' hope is that the many military personnel will be withdrawn, because Yuguru Village and its surroundings are not areas of military operations or conflict. Therefore, Edison Gwijangge and the local government are responsible for withdrawing the military and returning the community to their village," he said. (*)
——————————————————
A google translate.
Original Bahasa link
2) Bishop of Timika's Thanksgiving Mass for the Maybrat Community in the Refugee Land
Author : Gamaliel M. Kaliele Editor : Angela Flassy Published June 28, 2025
Last updated: June 28, 2025 5:02 pm
Sorong, Jubi – Bishop of Timika Diocese, Mgr. Bernadus Bohitwos Baru, OSA, delivered a sharp and profound message of faith at a solemn thanksgiving mass with internal refugees from Maybrat Regency, Southwest Papua Province, Thursday (6/26/2025).
The service was held at St. Bernadus Aimas Parish, and became a momentum for spiritual strengthening for refugees who have been expelled from their land for more than four years due to armed conflict.
"How do we remain steadfast in God's comfort and believe in His promises? The story of Abraham who was promised descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the sea, if we relate it to our situation today in Papua, then this is a relevant story. Many Papuans have given up hope, feeling that God no longer hears their cries," said Mgr. Bernadus starting his sermon.
In his long sermon, Mgr. Bernadus raised the story of Abraham and Sarah's steadfast faith in the face of suffering.
He related it to the situation of the Maybrat refugees, who have survived since the refugee tragedy began on September 2, 2021 due to military operations and violence that continues to this day, such as in Intan Jaya and Puncak.
“Our mothers and children live in suffering: they can’t go hunting, they can’t garden, the children have no money to go to school. This is a long suffering that has lasted almost four years. But like Sarah and Abraham, we are invited to believe that God is processing something. God answers step by step, and will answer the cries of the Papuan people, continued Bishop Bernadus.
In an emotional atmosphere, he invited all those present to remain faithful in their faith even though they are hit by a flood of suffering and the winds of despair. “If we continue to stand on a solid rock, namely God, then our house will not collapse. We will not fall. We will remain, and we will feel victory. Never doubt God’s promise. He did not close His ears to the Papuan people,” he said.
Mgr. Bernadus also delivered a touching message from the Vatican, that the Land of Papua left a deep impression on the hearts of world church leaders.
“Yesterday Cardinal Antonio, the general of our order’s chapter, said that there were only two places in the world that impressed him the most: India and Papua. Even the current Pope, who also came to Papua, to this day still remembers and mentions the Land of Papua with love,” said Mgr. Bernadus with a trembling voice.
“Let us surrender all this suffering in prayer, in faith. God has other plans, which we do not yet know. But we believe, He will reveal His glory to the Papuan people. Never be afraid. Do not lose hope. We must continue to pray, call our ancestors, call our ancestors in our customs, and together with our Catholic faith we walk forward,” he said.
He hopes that the thanksgiving mass at St. Bernardus Aimas Parish is not just a religious ritual, but a spiritual moment that reawakens the fighting spirit and hope for thousands of Maybrat refugees and all Papuan people.
“In the calls full of the power of faith, the cries of Papua are made into songs of hope, that God is not finished with Papua. That this land will continue to live and speak. That every tear will be answered by God,” he said.
The representative of the Maybrat refugees, Yeremias Asem, delivered a welcoming speech full of appreciation and emotion for the presence of Bishop Mgr. Bernardus.
“He is a good shepherd who comes looking for his sheep. We know that he did not come empty-handed, but with a heart full of love,” said Yeremias, greeted by applause from the congregation.
He expressed his gratitude to all parties, starting from the Catholic Church, the humanitarian team of the Manokwari-Sorong Diocese, the local government to the wider community who had helped the refugees while they were in the evacuation.
“Most of us have returned, but there are still some who are staying for educational and economic reasons. There are no markets yet, transportation is difficult, schools are not yet stable. We pray that blessings will be abundant for all who have helped us,” he said.
In his speech, Yeremias emphasized that the suffering of the Papuan people is not the suffering of individuals or groups alone, but rather the suffering of all Papuans.
With a voice full of conviction, Yeremias invited all elements of Papuan society to unite in prayer and struggle. God never forgets us. The Holy Spirit is with us. The nature of Papua is with us. Let us rise. Let us believe. Let us fight suffering with faith and brotherhood.” He said. (*)
-----------------------------
3) Collaboration key to boosting Southwest Papua's development: MPR
June 28, 2025 14:23 GMT+700
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Abcandra Muhammad Akbar Supratman has urged all relevant stakeholders to collaborate to promote equitable and sustainable development in Southwest Papua Province.“Southwest Papua is a crucial part of Indonesia that we must build together, ensuring that no one is left behind. The key to successful development is collaboration among all stakeholders at both the central and regional levels,” he noted in a statement cited here on Saturday.Supratman emphasized that for the relatively new province to grow and develop optimally, the central and local governments must adopt a comprehensive approach that goes beyond administrative efforts.He highlighted the need to involve all segments of society—especially local customary and religious leaders, as well as the youth—to ensure that development meets the real needs of communities on the ground.Southwest Papua Governor Elisa Kambu echoed these views, affirming that strong cross-sectoral synergy is vital to accelerate equitable development in the province.“We welcome cooperation between the central and regional governments. It is crucial that we make the most of the current level of stability and security to fast-track the development of Southwest Papua,” he remarked.Addressing recent security concerns in several areas, Kambu assured that conditions have returned to normal.“Two days ago, we visited Kisor, Kumurkek, and Kamundan in Maybrat District. We can confirm that these regions are now safe, allowing residents to resume their normal activities,” he noted.The governor also highlighted the importance of environmental protection in Raja Ampat—a district renowned for its biodiversity and marine conservation zones—following recent controversies over mining activities.“Raja Ampat is a manifestation of God’s blessings, belonging not just to Papua or Indonesia but to the entire world. We must safeguard this region so that future generations can continue to admire its beauty,” he concluded.Translator: Nadia P, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
------------------------
