2) Indonesian military foils OPM attacks, eight rebels neutralized
3) West Papua's Manokwari stable ahead of Independence Day celebrations
4) Telkomsel says double shunt fault disrupts broadband services in Papua
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1) No Indon flag – Wenda
August 16, 2025
WEST Papuan pro-independence advocate Benny Wenda has called for a boycott on Indonesia’s Independence Day celebrations.
Declaring the raising of the Indonesian flag in West Papua as illegal, Wenda said Papuan Independence Day was December 1, the day in 1963 when the outgoing Dutch authorities handed over autonomy of the region.
“The presence of the Indonesian flag in West Papua is illegal,” Wenda said in a statement.
“Every year, Indonesia pressures West Papuans to raise their flag. Civilians are often threatened with arrest if they do not join in the celebrations. Indonesia knows that they will never win the support of West Papuans through social or political means, so they instead use fear and violence to force us to take part,” he said.
Wenda pointed to the 2017 Papuan People’s Petition, signed by over 1.8 million people, as proof of the territory’s overwhelming desire for independence.
“We respect Indonesian Independence Day, but it must be celebrated in Java, Sulawesi and Sumatra – not in West Papua. West Papua is occupied territory and every Indonesian flag that is raised on our land is a symbol of ongoing colonialism,” he said.
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https://en.antaranews.com/news/373837/indonesian-military-foils-opm-attacks-eight-rebels-neutralized
2) Indonesian military foils OPM attacks, eight rebels neutralized
August 16, 2025 18:45 GMT+700
Jakarta (ANTARA) - An Indonesian military task force has incapacitated eight members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) in three separate operations ahead of Independence Day celebrations.
Major General Kristomei Sianturi, head of the National Armed Forces (TNI) Information Office, said in a press statement on Saturday that the Habema Task Force carried out the operations to ensure public order and security in Papua as Independence Day nears.
The first operation took place on August 8 in Biak Village, Puncak Jaya, Central Papua, targeting an armed group led by fugitive Tenggamati Enumbi.
"Three OPM rebels were shot, one of whom is believed to be Tenggamati Enumbi. The group then fled eastward while carrying the wounded rebels," Sianturi stated.
Enumbi has been on the Papua Regional Police's wanted list since January 2014 for his involvement in a violent robbery at a police post in Puncak Jaya.
The second operation occurred on August 11, when the task force raided Mamba Village in Intan Jaya. Soldiers engaged the OPM’s Kodap VIII Kemabu group in a gunfight, killing one rebel and injuring two others.
In the third operation, on August 12 near Eknemba Village, Intan Jaya, rebels attempted to counterattack Indonesian soldiers after the earlier raid.
"The gunfight killed two OPM rebels, namely Teleginus Maiseni and his aide Seprianus Maiseni. Both were members of the Kemabu group," Sianturi explained.
The operations also resulted in the seizure of several firearms, ammunition, and telecommunication devices.
Sianturi assured the public that the TNI will continue patrolling to protect local communities from armed groups and to safeguard security and stability in Papua.
Related news: Papua Police retrieve bodies of 11 miners killed in rebel attack
Related news: Papuan rebels killed civilians, not TNI personnel: ministry
Major General Kristomei Sianturi, head of the National Armed Forces (TNI) Information Office, said in a press statement on Saturday that the Habema Task Force carried out the operations to ensure public order and security in Papua as Independence Day nears.
The first operation took place on August 8 in Biak Village, Puncak Jaya, Central Papua, targeting an armed group led by fugitive Tenggamati Enumbi.
"Three OPM rebels were shot, one of whom is believed to be Tenggamati Enumbi. The group then fled eastward while carrying the wounded rebels," Sianturi stated.
Enumbi has been on the Papua Regional Police's wanted list since January 2014 for his involvement in a violent robbery at a police post in Puncak Jaya.
The second operation occurred on August 11, when the task force raided Mamba Village in Intan Jaya. Soldiers engaged the OPM’s Kodap VIII Kemabu group in a gunfight, killing one rebel and injuring two others.
In the third operation, on August 12 near Eknemba Village, Intan Jaya, rebels attempted to counterattack Indonesian soldiers after the earlier raid.
"The gunfight killed two OPM rebels, namely Teleginus Maiseni and his aide Seprianus Maiseni. Both were members of the Kemabu group," Sianturi explained.
The operations also resulted in the seizure of several firearms, ammunition, and telecommunication devices.
Sianturi assured the public that the TNI will continue patrolling to protect local communities from armed groups and to safeguard security and stability in Papua.
Related news: Papua Police retrieve bodies of 11 miners killed in rebel attack
Related news: Papuan rebels killed civilians, not TNI personnel: ministry
Translator: Walda M, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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3) West Papua's Manokwari stable ahead of Independence Day celebrations
August 16, 2025 19:32 GMT+700
Manokwari, W Papua (ANTARA) - Security in Manokwari, West Papua, remains stable and free from separatist threats ahead of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day celebrations, a military officer said on Saturday.
Commander of the 1801/Manokwari District Military Command Colonel Agus Prihanto Donny said armed separatist activities do not exist in the district and the situation remains calm and under control.
To maintain public safety, his party continues to coordinate with local police, he said while acknowledging the presence of some individuals who have voiced pro-independence sentiments.
According to Donny, such activity has been limited in scale and has not affected the broader community.
He encouraged residents to mark the August 17 anniversary with positive activities, including competitions, neighborhood cleanups, and displaying the national flags.
Donny also urged the public to pause their activities at 10 a.m. local time on Independence Day, and stand in silence during the national anthem, Indonesia Raya, to honor the country's fallen heroes and heroines.
"Even those driving are asked to stop briefly to observe the moment of the proclamation," he said.
Over the past few years, armed Papuan groups have often employed hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian security personnel and mounted acts of terror targeting civilians in the districts of Intan Jaya, Nduga, Puncak, and Maybrat to incite fear among the people.
The targets of such acts of terror have included construction workers, motorcycle taxi (ojek) drivers, teachers, students, street food vendors, and also civilian aircraft.
On December 2, 2018, for instance, a group of armed Papuan separatists brutally killed 31 workers from PT Istaka Karya. The workers were engaged in the Trans Papua project in Kali Yigi and Kali Aurak in Yigi Sub-district, Nduga District.
In the early morning of September 2, 2021, several members of an armed Papuan group operating in Maybrat District ambushed sleeping soldiers at the Kisor military post located in Kisor Village, South Aifat Sub-district.
On March 2, 2022, several members of an armed Papuan group operating in Beoga Sub-district, Puncak District, killed eight Palaparing Timur Telematika (PTT) workers who were repairing a base transceiver station (BTS) tower owned by state-owned telecommunications operator Telkomsel.
On February 7, 2023, New Zealander pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens was taken hostage by an armed group led by Egianus Kogoya.
On Friday, July 25, 2025, a Papuan separatist shot dead a kiosk owner in Wandoga Village, Sugapa Sub-district, Intan Jaya District, Central Papua, at around 1:40 p.m. local time.
The kiosk owner, identified as Joni Hendra, was gunned down as he was serving a customer.
Related news: Indonesian military foils OPM attacks, eight rebels neutralized
Related news: Prioritize cultural approach to settle Papua's armed group issue: MPR
Commander of the 1801/Manokwari District Military Command Colonel Agus Prihanto Donny said armed separatist activities do not exist in the district and the situation remains calm and under control.
To maintain public safety, his party continues to coordinate with local police, he said while acknowledging the presence of some individuals who have voiced pro-independence sentiments.
According to Donny, such activity has been limited in scale and has not affected the broader community.
He encouraged residents to mark the August 17 anniversary with positive activities, including competitions, neighborhood cleanups, and displaying the national flags.
Donny also urged the public to pause their activities at 10 a.m. local time on Independence Day, and stand in silence during the national anthem, Indonesia Raya, to honor the country's fallen heroes and heroines.
"Even those driving are asked to stop briefly to observe the moment of the proclamation," he said.
Over the past few years, armed Papuan groups have often employed hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian security personnel and mounted acts of terror targeting civilians in the districts of Intan Jaya, Nduga, Puncak, and Maybrat to incite fear among the people.
The targets of such acts of terror have included construction workers, motorcycle taxi (ojek) drivers, teachers, students, street food vendors, and also civilian aircraft.
On December 2, 2018, for instance, a group of armed Papuan separatists brutally killed 31 workers from PT Istaka Karya. The workers were engaged in the Trans Papua project in Kali Yigi and Kali Aurak in Yigi Sub-district, Nduga District.
In the early morning of September 2, 2021, several members of an armed Papuan group operating in Maybrat District ambushed sleeping soldiers at the Kisor military post located in Kisor Village, South Aifat Sub-district.
On March 2, 2022, several members of an armed Papuan group operating in Beoga Sub-district, Puncak District, killed eight Palaparing Timur Telematika (PTT) workers who were repairing a base transceiver station (BTS) tower owned by state-owned telecommunications operator Telkomsel.
On February 7, 2023, New Zealander pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens was taken hostage by an armed group led by Egianus Kogoya.
On Friday, July 25, 2025, a Papuan separatist shot dead a kiosk owner in Wandoga Village, Sugapa Sub-district, Intan Jaya District, Central Papua, at around 1:40 p.m. local time.
The kiosk owner, identified as Joni Hendra, was gunned down as he was serving a customer.
Related news: Indonesian military foils OPM attacks, eight rebels neutralized
Related news: Prioritize cultural approach to settle Papua's armed group issue: MPR
Translator: Ali NI, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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4) Telkomsel says double shunt fault disrupts broadband services in Papua
August 16, 2025 19:45 GMT+700
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Telkomsel announced on Saturday that a double shunt fault has disrupted broadband services in parts of Papua following damage to a section of the Sulawesi-Maluku-Papua undersea cable system between Sorong and Merauke.
The fault occurred around 06.00 a.m. local time at two points near Sorong and Merauke, with depths ranging between 50 and 500 metres, according to the subsidiary of state-owned Telkom Indonesia.
Speaking to journalists here, Telkomsel's Maluku and Papua Network Operations and Productivity General Manager Yasrinaldi apologized to the company's customers for the service degradation.
"The cause of the fault is still under investigation," Yasrinaldi said, adding that the disruption has affected broadband quality in several areas of southern Papua, including Merauke, Timika and Kaimana.
Meanwhile, Amin Soebagyo, the executive vice president of Telkom's Regional V, said the company regretted the inconvenience, and has been making utmost efforts to restore services as quickly as possible.
"We understand how vital digital connectivity is, especially in southern Papua, and our teams are working to accelerate service recovery," Soebagyo said while unveiling an initial measure to ensure essential services.
Telkom, he said, has activated limited-capacity backup routes and applied service prioritisation to ensure such essential services as voice calls and SMS remain operational.
Recovery efforts also include traffic management, additional capacity via the Palapa Ring East network and satellite links, and the deployment of a specialised repair vessel, he said.
Telkom said it would continue to provide updates and remains committed to maintaining stable digital communications for the public, Soebagyo added.
ANTARA has reported on repeated disruptions in telecommunication services in Papua over the past few years.
In 2021, for instance, PT Telkom encountered an undersea fiber optic cable breakage that occurred about 700 kilometers away from the waters off Sarmi District, Papua Province.
The cable break disrupted this telecommunication giant's services in Jayapura City and the districts of Jayapura and Sarmi, but its customers in the southern parts of Papua Province did not get affected.
Related news: Papua calls for quick mitigation of telecommunications disruptions
Related news: Telkom to develop Internet gateway to boost eastern Indonesia economy
The fault occurred around 06.00 a.m. local time at two points near Sorong and Merauke, with depths ranging between 50 and 500 metres, according to the subsidiary of state-owned Telkom Indonesia.
Speaking to journalists here, Telkomsel's Maluku and Papua Network Operations and Productivity General Manager Yasrinaldi apologized to the company's customers for the service degradation.
"The cause of the fault is still under investigation," Yasrinaldi said, adding that the disruption has affected broadband quality in several areas of southern Papua, including Merauke, Timika and Kaimana.
Meanwhile, Amin Soebagyo, the executive vice president of Telkom's Regional V, said the company regretted the inconvenience, and has been making utmost efforts to restore services as quickly as possible.
"We understand how vital digital connectivity is, especially in southern Papua, and our teams are working to accelerate service recovery," Soebagyo said while unveiling an initial measure to ensure essential services.
Telkom, he said, has activated limited-capacity backup routes and applied service prioritisation to ensure such essential services as voice calls and SMS remain operational.
Recovery efforts also include traffic management, additional capacity via the Palapa Ring East network and satellite links, and the deployment of a specialised repair vessel, he said.
Telkom said it would continue to provide updates and remains committed to maintaining stable digital communications for the public, Soebagyo added.
ANTARA has reported on repeated disruptions in telecommunication services in Papua over the past few years.
In 2021, for instance, PT Telkom encountered an undersea fiber optic cable breakage that occurred about 700 kilometers away from the waters off Sarmi District, Papua Province.
The cable break disrupted this telecommunication giant's services in Jayapura City and the districts of Jayapura and Sarmi, but its customers in the southern parts of Papua Province did not get affected.
Related news: Papua calls for quick mitigation of telecommunications disruptions
Related news: Telkom to develop Internet gateway to boost eastern Indonesia economy
Translator: Qadri P, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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