TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) burned several Indonesian flags in Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Papua, on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom said the flags were taken down from poles and also seized directly from Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Indonesian National Police (Polri) personnel who were seen installing them in various locations throughout the regency.
"We burned them as a clear symbol of rejecting Indonesian colonialism in Papua," Sebby stated in a text message on Friday, August 8.
Despite the symbolic act, Sebby claimed that the group did not resort to violence against TNI-Polri officers who were putting up flags in strategic areas or along roads. The TPNPB only disarmed personnel, especially those carrying firearms or ammunition.
"We ask them to leave Papua immediately and remind them that hoisting the Indonesian flag here is prohibited," Sebby said.
Colonel Candara Kurniawan, Head of Information for the XVII/Cenderawasih Regional Military Command, said the military has not yet received any report regarding the flag seizures in Pegunungan Bintang.
"We are still verifying the information," he said.
Meanwhile, Chief of Public Relations for the Papua Regional Police, Grand Commissioner Cahyo Sukarnito, has not responded to Tempo’s inquiry sent via WhatsApp.
Earlier, the TPNPB had instructed its 36 regional military commands across Papua to prohibit flag-raising ceremonies marking Indonesia’s Independence Day on August 17.
Sebby asserted that indigenous Papuans and residents of Papua are only allowed to raise the Morning Star flag and hold commemorative events on December 1. "We want Papuans to be educated that Papua is not part of Indonesia," he said in a WhatsApp message sent on Saturday, August 2.
He added that the TPNPB will not engage in armed conflict or launch attacks against civilians raising the Indonesian flag. The group will only dissolve the ceremony, provided there is no TNI-Polri involvement in the area.
"Therefore, we urge the TNI-Polri not to disguise themselves in order to carry out flag-raising activities in Papua," Sebby said.
He also warned that the TPNPB has designated several conflict zones in Papua where non-Papuan civilians and security forces are barred from entering. These areas include Yahukimo, Pegunungan Bintang, Nduga, Puncak Jaya, Intan Jaya, Maybrat, Dogiyai, Paniai, and Deiyai.
"People from outside Papua and the TNI-Polri are not allowed to enter these areas, and the hoisting of the Indonesian flag is also prohibited," Sebby said.
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The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) is intensifying efforts to accelerate biodiesel production in Merauke, South Papua, aimed at meeting domestic energy needs.
In a recent update, Deputy ESDM minister, Yuliot Tanjung, shared that the biodiesel plant in Merauke is expected to commence operations by 2027.
"We are currently consolidating efforts to fast-track the development of biodiesel facility in Merauke," Tanjung said on Friday, August 8, 2025.
He emphasized that the project is crucial for the country’s energy transition strategy and is aligned with the government's commitment to boosting renewable energy production.
Regarding the B-50 biodiesel program, Tanjung highlighted the ongoing evaluation of B-40 implementation this year, noting that the government is optimistic about moving towards B-50 next year.
"The B-50 implementation is part of our long-term strategy to gradually increase the use of biofuels in Indonesia’s energy mix," he said.
The biodiesel initiative is an integral component of Indonesia’s broader energy policy, aimed at reducing dependence on fossil fuels and supporting sustainable growth.
Regulatory reforms
Tanjung revealed that the ESDM ministry is pursuing substantial reforms in the governance of several critical sectors, following discussions with the Minister of Law on Thursday, August 7, 2025. The meeting focused on the need to improve regulations across various subsectors within the ESDM inistry, including renewable energy, oil and gas, and the governance of mineral and coal resources.
He emphasized that these changes are necessary to address the complexities of Indonesia's energy and natural resources management.
"We are currently working on improvements in governance, especially in sectors like renewable energy and mining, which require updated regulations to streamline operations and enhance efficiency," Tanjung said.
As part of the ongoing reforms, the ministry aims to improve data management systems to ensure better oversight and more effective implementation of energy policies. This effort is in line with Indonesia's long-term strategy to strengthen energy security and promote sustainable practices in the energy sector.
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Highland Papua Governor John Tabo said here on Friday that President Prabowo is paying great attention to the new autonomous regions (DOBs) in Papua, particularly Highland Papua province.
“The President is giving great attention through the construction of 2,200 decent housing units for Highland Papua province,” he added.
According to Tabo, the construction of 2,200 housing units was directly ordered by President Prabowo.
“We would like to emphasize that the assistance of 2,200 housing units was not part of the district heads’ proposals to the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas, but is truly a direct contribution from the President,” he said.
He added that housing development proposals of eight districts targeted by the plan—Jayawijaya, Lanny Jaya, Tolikara, Yalimo, Mamberamo Tengah, Nduga, Pegunungan Bintang, and Yahukimo—are currently being reviewed by the central government.
“The provision of 2,200 housing units is based on the President’s instruction, and the development process will be carried out by the Housing and Settlement Areas Ministry,” he said.
“The distribution includes two thousand housing units, type 45, for the public, while 200 units are specifically allocated for tribal chiefs in the eight districts. The allocation will be based on the population of each district,” he informed.
Earlier, Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas, Maruarar Sirait, said that subsidized housing must be evenly distributed across all Indonesian regions to ensure social justice for the people.
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Translator: Yudhi, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Indonesian forces in West Papua have arrested 42 Papuan liberation activists, including a prominent 74-year-old tribal chief, during an independence separatist meeting.
Police detained all of the activists, who spent one night in jail before they were placed under house arrest for the next eight months, to curb the opportunities of further assembly together.
Tribal chief John Wenggi was arrested at his Waropen residence in the Papua province of Indonesia during the political meeting.
Wenggi was reportedly later beaten in custody, according to West Papua sources.
He was returned to his own residence last week for house arrest and is said to currently be on an intravenous (IV) drip from his injuries sustained in custody.
United Liberation Movement for West Papua leader and chairman, Benny Wenda, denounced the arrests on Wednesday, specifically taking aim at the alleged targeted beating of Mr Wenggi.
The arrests follows ongoing reports of violent clashes between the Indonesian military and West Papua civilians.
"On behalf of the people of West Papua (independence movement), I condemn the arrest of the 42 United Liberation Movement for West Papua representatives last week by the Indonesian police," Mr Wenda said.
"Indonesia has proven once again that fundamental human rights do not exist in West Papua.
"What possible justification is there for this vicious repression?
"Under international law, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua has the right to assembly and to peacefully advocate for democracy in our own land.
"This was a private political meeting held in the home of a widely-respected West Papuan Elder.
"I call on international non-government organisations and solidarity groups to pressure your governments to condemn these arrests and to call for the release of all remaining Papuan political prisoners."
Indonesia's latest crackdown on the West Papuan political movement is seen as a further response to the United Liberation Movement for West Papua's Legislative Council's first plenary session – a deliberative assembly to mark the region's unrecognised provisional government – a month earlier in July.
Indonesia, in the same week of the arrests, released six unnamed West Papuan political prisoners on Friday after they were granted clemency among 1,778 other inmates following an earlier announcement from the nation's President, Prabowo Subianto, to pardon approximately 44,000 detainees fighting against the state.
West Papua's historic meeting of more than 2000 members had been inaugurated to its Legislative Council across West Papua's six customary, historic regions – as opposed to the six different provinces the Indonesian administration imposed on West Papua.
Those moves have sparked Indonesian House of Representative MP Oleh Soleh to deliver a warning that a "new wave of repression" would target West Papua while also calling the United Liberation Movement for West Papua nothing more than a "political criminal group".
"These groups that disrupt the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, groups that will disrupt unity, must be resolved immediately and effectively without problems or casualties because this is a burning fire," Mr Soleah said.
"If this continues, it will certainly be dangerous."
Mr Wenda said the words are a clear threat to all "peaceful activities" of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua-backed provisional government.
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua chairman, who lives in exile in the United Kingdom, has urged West Papuans to protect other high-profile independence leaders on the ground, naming West Papua Prime Minister Edison Waromi and West Papua Legislative Council Chair Buchtar Tabuni as crucial in its struggle towards independence.
"I call on our allied legal, political, and solidarity groups to do all they can to protect United Liberation Movement for West Papua representatives from arrest and/or imprisonment," Mr Wenda said.
"They are at serious risk as Indonesia intensifies its crackdown."
West Papua's head of state, President Jacob Rumbiak, is reportedly exiled in Australia.
Mr Wenda has reportedly told Indonesia the United Liberation Movement for West Papua is the legitimate representatives of West Papuans to act on behalf of its Indigenous peoples.
"The strategy that has been formulated in the Indonesian parliament and by the Indonesian police is now coming to fruition," he said.
"But in their desperation to destroy United Liberation Movement for West Papua's peaceful mission for liberation, Indonesia shows just how weak their hold on West Papua truly is.
"The United Liberation Movement for West Papua now has roots in every city, every town, and village throughout West Papua.
"We are a government-in-waiting and are ready to engage with the world.
"Indonesia is terrified of our growing strength.
"Indonesia must realise that no number of arrests will crush the West Papuan desire for independence."
Despite Mr Wenda adding "we are already prisoners in our land", in concession to Indonesia, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua is inviting President Prabowo to meet to discuss an internationally mediated referendum on independence.
"Ultimately, this is the only true path to a peaceful resolution in West Papua," he said.
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