JAKARTA – Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has affirmed his readiness to oversee development and address ongoing human rights issues in Papua, as he prepares to lead the Special Autonomy Acceleration Board in accordance with existing legal mandates.
Coordinating Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Correctional Services Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra revealed recently that President Prabowo Subianto is finalizing Gibran’s assignment to lead a special body mandated by the 2021 Papua Special Autonomy Law.
The law tasks the Vice President with overseeing the coordination, evaluation and harmonization of autonomy and development programs in the country’s easternmost province.
“As the President’s aide, I am ready to serve anywhere, anytime,” Gibran told reporters during a visit to Klaten Regency, Central Java, on Wednesday, adding that the same assignment was previously held by his predecessor, Ma’ruf Amin.
While President Prabowo has yet to issue a formal decree, Gibran said his office has already taken initiative by dispatching teams to Sorong in West Papua and Merauke in South Papua to assess local needs, deliver school supplies and laptops as well as evaluate the implementation of the government’s free meal program.
Read also: Prabowo assigns Gibran to spearhead Papua development, rights efforts
When asked whether he would establish an office in Papua, Gibran said he was open to working from any location, be it Jakarta, Papua, or Nusantara in East Kalimantan, the country’s future capital where the Vice Presidential Palace is currently under construction.
“It’s important for me to regularly visit the regions, engage with business actors, listen to input, accept criticism and conduct evaluations. Being able to work from anywhere and connect with the people, that’s what truly matters,” the 37-year-old added.
Presidential spokesperson and State Secretary Hadi Prasetyo emphasized on Wednesday that Gibran’s assignment to Papua stems from a legal mandate, not a new initiative.
“We want to clarify that it is not accurate to say the President has [personally] assigned the task to Gibran, as the law clearly mandates that the Vice President is responsible for coordinating Papua’s development,” Prasetyo said.
He further explained that while Gibran will not be permanently based in Papua, the Special Autonomy Acceleration Board’s secretariat and operational staff will be stationed there. However, the Vice President may frequently visit or temporarily take up office in Papua as needed.
“It will not be a problem [for the Vice President] to occasionally visit, lead coordinating meetings or even temporarily work from Papua,” Prasetyo added.
Soldiers from the Indonesian Army’s 112th Raider Infantry Battalion secure a ceremony at a military base in Japakeh, Aceh, on June 25, 2024, ahead of their deployment to Papua. (AFP/Chaideer Mahyuddin)
Papua, rich in natural resources, has experienced conflict between separatist groups and security forces since the 1970s, with tensions escalating sharply since 2018 as pro-independence armed groups increased attacks.
Many critics argue that the Indonesian Military’s (TNI) heavy presence in the region has further deepened the crisis.
While the Vice President’s presence in Papua may lend symbolic weight to government efforts to maintain stability, human rights groups emphasize that real progress requires a shift from security-focused policies to inclusive, rights-based governance.
Amnesty International Indonesia has urged the government to prioritize peaceful dialogue and ensure that Papuan voices are central to developing solutions.
“Dialogue is the most rational and humane path forward,” said Amnesty’s Executive Director Usman Hamid on Wednesday, stressing that as long as the government continues a militaristic approach and fails to uphold human rights, the conflict will persist.
This view is echoed by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM), which demands that the President “form a negotiation team to sit at the table with us.”
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Humanitarian activist from Wamena, Papua, Yefta Lengka, has questioned Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka's ability to resolve the ongoing violent conflict in Papua.
Yefta, who assists refugees in Nduga, said Gibran lacks the necessary experience to mediate the protracted violence between the Indonesian military and pro-independence groups.
"Gibran is still young and needs a lot of conflict resolution experience," said Yefta, a staff member of the Papua Justice and Integrity Foundation, when contacted on Friday, July 11, 2025.
Yefta also voiced skepticism over Gibran's ability to address human rights issues, particularly the displacement caused by clashes between security forces and separatist groups.
He expressed concern over whether Gibran is equipped to deal with the root causes of the Papua conflict as outlined by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), now integrated into the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
Those four root issues include the historical and political debate over Papua’s integration with Indonesia, the prevalence of violence and human rights abuses, systemic discrimination against Papuans, and the persistent failure of development efforts in the region.
"The resolution of Papua's problems will not be effective and will not be resolved when Gibran leads," Yefta said.
According to him, the responsibility should not fall solely on the vice president. Yefta believes President Prabowo Subianto should personally take charge of resolving the conflict and end military operations in Papua. He also called for the government to prioritize peaceful dialogue with pro-independence factions.
Just two days earlier, John Bunay, coordinator of the Papuan Pastors, also expressed doubts about Gibran’s capability to handle the Papua issue.
He noted that even President Joko Widodo, despite multiple visits to the region and his appointment of former Vice President Ma’ruf Amin as head of the Papua Special Autonomy Acceleration Steering Committee (BP3OKP), failed to deliver a lasting solution.
In response, Vice President Gibran stated that he is ready to carry out the mandate given by President Prabowo and remains open to input from the Papuan community.
"As an assistant to the president, I am ready to be assigned wherever and whenever," Gibran said during a working visit to Klaten Regency, Central Java, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
The March 21 attack, which occurred in the Anggruk region of Yahukimo district, Highland Papua, targeted teachers and health workers, killing one teacher and injuring six others.
The arrests took place in Dekai, also in Yahukimo district, on Friday, according to Brigadier General Faizal Rahmadani, chief of operations at the Cartenz Task Force. He said the suspects are now undergoing intensive questioning.
Rahmadani said the eight suspects are believed to be members of the “Eden Sawi Yali” Battalion, led by Ohion Helembo, also known as Bapa Simpan. The battalion is reportedly affiliated with a larger insurgent network headed by Elkius Kobak.
Three of the suspects, identified by the initials AP, DH, and NS, have been formally named in the case. The remaining five are still under investigation.
"The Cartenz Peace Task Force will continue to take firm action and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice," Rahmadani stated.
In recent years, armed separatist groups in Papua have stepped up their use of hit-and-run tactics against security forces and carried out violent attacks on civilians to instill fear among local communities.
Their targets have included construction workers, teachers, motorcycle taxi drivers, vendors, and even civilian aircraft.
In one high-profile case, New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens was taken hostage by the Egianus Kogoya-led armed group after landing his Susi Air plane in Papua’s Nduga district on February 7, 2023. He was held captive for over a year before being released in September 2024.
Related news: Indonesia hands over pilot Mehrtens to New Zealand government
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Translator: Evarukdijati, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Anton Santoso
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