TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement(TPNPB-OPM) has accused the Indonesian military (TNI) deployed in Yakuhimo regency of planting landmines to target the militias and individuals deemed affiliated with them.
The spokesperson of the TPNPB headquarters, Sebby Sambom, claimed the landmines were planted deliberately by the Indonesian forces in logpon (raft), the airport, and roads frequented by the militias. "Laki Magayang of the Kodap (Defense Regional Command) XVI Yahukimo militia is one of the victims of the TNI-Polri's crimes in Papua," said Sebby in a brief message on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
Laki Magayang was reportedly killed in a shootout with the Indonesian forces at Kali Bonto on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
Besides planting landmines, Sebby said, tTNI Soldiers also placed landmines on the bodies of wounded TPNPB militias. According to Sebby, this action was part of the psychological terror launched by the soldiers to instill fear in the liberation movement.
Such actions are often carried out by soldiers deployed in Papua—for example, in the North Gome and Sugapa districts of Intan Jaya—resulting in numerous casualties among TPNPB militias and local residents. "The world must know that there are war crimes in Papua. The world must not turn a blind eye," he pleaded.
Meanwhile, when asked for confirmation, Colonel Candra Kurniawan, the Head of Information of the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Regional Command, denied TPNPB's accusations about planting landmines and placing mines on wounded militias.
He maintained that TNI soldiers are not equipped with explosives while patrolling. Thus, he said, the information provided by TPNPB is false and should not be believed. "Propaganda like this has often been used to gain sympathy," Candra added.
Regarding the alleged death of TPNPB militias in Yahukimo, he mentioned that so far, the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Regional Command has not received any information about an armed encounter with TPNPB militias.
However, he added that TNI soldiers will remain on guard and intensify territorial patrols to maintain security in Yahukimo. "Measured actions are taken based on the situation. Initial handling is carried out in a humane manner," Candra stated.
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Acting Head of the Jayapura City Tourism Office, Richard Nahumury, in Jayapura on Wednesday, stated that every piece of content created and shared on social media platforms can help the government promote the tourism and creative economy potential of each village.
"We hope that after participating in this training, they will be able to create content related to tourism potential, the creative economy, and all culinary and dance events while adhering to content creation standards," he said.
He explained that all participants will be given the opportunity to create content at the "Jayapura Fair" on August 20-21, 2025, and then present their results according to the standards learned in this training.
"We hope that in the future, every piece of content created and promoted on existing digital platforms will attract tourists to Jayapura City," he said.
He added that the content creator training in 10 traditional villages in Jayapura City aims to highlight each village's potential and introduce it to the wider community.
"This is also our effort to preserve the local culture of Jayapura City," he said.
Head of Marketing for the Jayapura City Tourism Office, Wasronah, said the training aimed to improve participants' understanding of the principles of planning and managing content creators.
"It provides practical skills in creating high-quality content, encouraging participants to develop their creativity and skills in content creation and digital marketing," she said.
The training involved 40 participants from 10 traditional villages and one administrative village, practitioners, and members of the general public interested in content creation. The training took place in Jayapura on August 20-21, 2025.
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Translator: Arie Novarina
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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