Monday, May 19, 2025

1) Six dead after landslide in West Papua, more missing


2) Rains halt search for gold miners after deadly Indonesian landslide
3) S Papua development supports Golden Indonesia goal: ministry  
4) NGOCHR concerned with Fiji’s ongoing engagements with Indonesia

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1) Six dead after landslide in West Papua, more missing
7:25 am today 
Six workers in West Papua are dead after a landslide at a gold mine.
Reuters reported torrential rains on Monday forced a halt to the search for the 14 still missing after the disaster, which engulfed temporary shelters used by miners.
Abdul Muhari, the spokesperson of Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency, said the rains had triggered Friday's landslide, which hit a small mine run by residents of the Arfak mountains.
Authorities will resume their search on Tuesday.
Yefri Sabaruddin, the head of a team of 40 rescuers, including police and military officials, told Reuters it took 12 hours to travel to the site from the nearest town.
He said the search effort was hampered by "damaged roads and mountainous tracks as well as bad weather".
Small-scale and illegal mining has often led to accidents in Indonesia, where mineral resources are located in remote areas in conditions difficult for authorities to regulate.
Last September, at least 15 people died in the collapse of an illegal gold mine in Indonesia's province of West Sumatra following a landslide caused by heavy rains.
The Turkish Embassy in Jakarta has commented on social media, saying: "We are deeply saddened to learn that landslide in West Papua Province, boat accident in Bengkulu and explosion at ammunition disposal site in West Java have caused many lives and injuries".
"We extend our sincere condolences to the brotherly people and the Government of Indonesia."

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19 May 2025 

2) Rains halt search for gold miners after deadly Indonesian landslide


Rescuers battle weather and conditions to find missing after storm kills six people at remote mine.


Torrential rains have forced Indonesian rescuers to suspend their efforts to find 14 missing gold miners after a landslide in the remote east of the country killed six of their colleagues.

Officials reported on Monday that the weather and difficult terrain were hindering the search for the workers in Indonesia’s easternmost region of Papua.

Torrential rain triggered a landslide and floods late on Friday near a small mine run by residents in the Arfak Mountains in West Papua province, Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for the National Agency for Disaster Management, told the Reuters news agency.

The storm swept away temporary shelters used by the miners, killing at least six people and injuring four, he reported.

“The floodwaters from upstream hit a temporary housing area of traditional gold miners at around 9:00 pm (1200 GMT),” Muhari said in a statement.

The search to locate the missing miners has been hampered by “damaged roads and mountainous tracks as well as bad weather,” said Yefri Sabaruddin, the head of a team of 40 rescuers, including police and military officials.

He noted that it took 12 hours to travel to the site from the nearest town.

Authorities said they plan to resume their search for the missing on Tuesday.


Tricky regulation

Unlicensed mines are common across the mineral-rich Southeast Asian archipelago nation, where abandoned sites attract locals who hunt for leftover gold ore without proper safety equipment.

That leaves them open to accidents as operations located in remote areas and in difficult conditions make it hard for the authorities to regulate them.


There was no official indication of the mine’s legal status. Sabaruddin stressed that the focus is on evacuating victims.

Indonesia is prone to landslides during the rainy season, typically from November to April.

A landslide caused by heavy rains at an illegal gold mine in West Sumatra in September killed 13 people and injured 12.

In July, at least 27 people were killed in a landslide near an illegal gold mine on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES
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3) S Papua development supports Golden Indonesia goal: ministry  
May 19, 2025 23:12 GMT+700

Jakarta (ANTARA) - During a working visit to Merauke district, South Papua, on Monday, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Ribka Haluk, said that the province's development would support the achievement of the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision.

Her working visit reflected the central government’s commitment to accelerating the development of South Papua, a part of the New Autonomous Regions (DOB), to support the goal of Indonesia becoming an advanced country by 2045.

Upon arriving at Mopah Airport at 8:20 a.m. local time, Haluk went to the South Papua Administration Zone (KPP) construction site located in the Salor Integrated Independent City (KTM) area, Kurik sub-district.

She was accompanied by South Papua Governor Apolo Safanpo.

“After our visit, we can see that construction is progressing. The Provincial People’s Representative Council (DPRP) office has reached 11 percent. The Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) office is also showing development, and the Governor’s Office is currently at 11 percent progress,” Haluk said.

She expressed optimism that all construction projects in the KPP area would be completed on time by the end of December 2025. According to her, infrastructure readiness is key to ensure that the South Papua administration can operate independently and deliver effective public services.

She also thanked local communities for their support in advancing development in the region, and called for maintaining synergy among all stakeholders, including the DPRP, MRP, the military and police, and the public.

She added that her side will continue to monitor and assist in the KPP project completion. She also encouraged all stakeholders in South Papua to maintain the spirit of development toward regional progress.

Related news: Indonesia's West Papua sets prioritize seven priority programs in 2026

Related news: Papua celebrates 62nd anniversary of joining Indonesia


Translator: Narda, Kenzu
Editor: Arie Novarina


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4) NGOCHR concerned with Fiji’s ongoing engagements with Indonesia
Local NewsNewsToday’s Main Story |  |  | By ANISH CHAND

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and the Coalition Government are detached from the values that Fijians hold dear, said the NGO Coalition on Human Rights in Fiji (NGOCHR).

They have expressed deep concern over the Fiji Prime Minister’s ongoing engagements with Indonesia.

“History will judge how we respond as Fijians to this moment. We must not stay silent when Pacific people are being occupied and killed,” said NGOCHR Chair Shamima Ali.

She said Mr Rabuka was extended a grant of $12 million by Indonesia recently and received proposals for joint military training.

“Is Fiji’s continuing silence on West Papua yet another example of being muzzled by purse strings?”

“As members of the Melanesian and Pacific family, bound by shared ancestry and identity, the acceptance of financial and any other benefit from Indonesia—while remaining silent on the plight of West Papua—is a betrayal of our family member and of regional solidarity.”

“True leadership must be rooted in solidarity, justice, and accountability.”

“It is imperative that Pacific leaders not only advocate for peace and cooperation in the region but also continue to hold Indonesia to account on ongoing human rights violations in West Papua.”

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