2) Four residents found dead during incident in Yalimo
3) ULMWP Condemns Racism Against Indigenous Papuans
4) Duo charged in gun trafficking case linked to kidnapped Kiwi pilot and West Papuan rebels
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1) National Indonesian Govt Responds to Australians Accused of Supplying Arms to Free Papua Movement
Reporter Novali Panji Nugroho
September 18, 2025 | 02:16 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Defense has responded to the alleged smuggling of firearms by Australian citizens supplied to the combatants of the Free Papua Movement-National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM). Brigadier General Frega Wenas, Head of the Defense Ministry's Defense Information Bureau, stated that the government is committed to preserving the country's sovereignty to the best of its ability. "We always strive for the best," he said at the Ministry of Defense office in Jakarta on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Frega stated that the Ministry of Defense is committed to preventing parties attempting to disrupt the security of the homeland, whether from internal or external sources. He mentioned that he did not wish to delve too far into the legal process against Australian citizens suspected of illegally smuggling firearms into Indonesian territory. "Of course, that is within the jurisdiction of the Australian government," he said.
Frega emphasized that maintaining the stability of the country is the government's current priority in terms of defense and security. According to him, President Prabowo Subianto's current priority is to improve the welfare of the Indonesian people. "This requires security stability," said Frega.
Previously, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested two men from the states of New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland. They were charged with trading firearms to TPNPB-OPM.
This case resulted from a joint investigation by the Queensland Joint Counter Terrorism Team (QLD JCTT), consisting of the AFP, Queensland Police, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO), as well as the New Zealand Police. The investigation commenced after TPNPB abducted New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens in Paro, Papua, in February 2023. Mehrtens was held captive for 592 days before being released in September 2024.
Police accused a 64-year-old man from NSW and a 44-year-old man from Queensland of attempting to smuggle firearms and ammunition from Australia to Indonesia. They were also said to have discussed plans to acquire Australian military weapons for the OPM.
On a separate occasion, Chief of the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) General Maruli Simanjuntak stated that the land defense forces continue to safeguard areas in the homeland to prevent the entry of smuggled firearms. According to him, Indonesia has vast areas. "But later we will try, whether the entry is from the sea, air, or land," he said during the meeting at the Parliament complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
He did not provide a detailed explanation of the supervision that the TNI AD would apply to prevent the entry of smuggled firearms into Indonesian territory. This four-star general only stated that his staff would continue to evaluate. "Yes, we will continue to evaluate," said Maruli.
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Original Bahasa link
2) Four residents found dead during incident in Yalimo
News Desk
Last updated: September 18, 2025 4:02 pm
Author: Jubi Admin
Editor: Arjuna Pademme
Published September 18, 2025
Atmosphere in Elelim, the capital of Yalimo Regency, Papua Mountains, during the riot there, Tuesday (September 16, 2025) - IST Jayapura, Jubi – Four people were found dead during a riot allegedly triggered by racist chants in Elelim, the capital of Yalimo Regency, Papua Mountains, on Tuesday (September 16, 2025).
The Head of the Cartenz Peace Operation, Police Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, said the incident resulted in fatalities, injuries, material damage, and the displacement of hundreds of residents.
"There were also civilian casualties. Nasir Daeng Mappa (44 years old) and his child, Arsya Dafa (9 years old), are suspected to have burned to death in the car. Another child, Atifa (10 years old), suffered a cut wound to the neck, and a student [named] Sadrak Yohame died from a gunshot wound," said Faizal Ramadhani in a written press release on Thursday (September 18, 2025).
According to the Deputy Chief of the Papua Regional Police, a joint TNI-Polri team also successfully evacuated six Indonesian Army (TNI AD) personnel from the Kopassus Maleo Task Force who were surrounded behind the Maleo Task Force Post in Pirip Village, Elelim District, on Tuesday afternoon (September 16, 2025).
Three of the TNI AD personnel suffered serious injuries from arrows, stones, and burns.
"The medical team immediately provided intensive care to the three seriously injured members: Sergeant Nando Manurung, Sergeant Kantum, and Second Lieutenant Inf Supardi," he said.
Furthermore, Faizal Ramadhani stated that during the incident, around 500 residents fled to the Yalimo Police Headquarters. Dozens of buildings were burned, including shophouses, boarding houses, Yalimo Regency Government official residences, government offices, and TNI and Polri facilities.
"Dozens of two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles were also destroyed," he said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Head of the Cartenz Peace Operation, Police Commissioner Adarma Sinaga, said that several officers were also injured during the riot.
"Several of our officers were also injured, including First Brigadier Fitrah H. Naing, who was hit in the face by a stone, First Brigadier Muh Aksa Almuthadin, who was hit in the head by an arrow, and a TNI soldier named Charles, who suffered a wound to the back of his head," said Adarma Sinaga.
Police said the riot in Yalimo was sparked by a misunderstanding between students involving a group of students from State High School 1 Elelim. (*)
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Original Bahasa link
3) ULMWP Condemns Racism Against Indigenous Papuans
News Desk
Last updated: September 18, 2025 4:07 pm
Author: Jubi Admin
Editor: Arjuna Pademme
Published September 18, 2025
Atmosphere in Elelim, the capital of Yalimo Regency, following a riot there allegedly triggered by racist remarks, Tuesday (September 16, 2025) - IST
Jayapura, Jubi – The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) condemns the repeated racism against indigenous Papuans. This condemnation was conveyed by ULMWP Executive President Menase Tabuni in a written press release on Thursday (September 18, 2025).
The ULMWP issued a statement of condemnation following the riot in Elelim, the capital of Yalimo Regency, Papua Highlands, on September 16, 2025, allegedly triggered by racist remarks by a student at State Senior High School 1 Elelim.
The ULMWP also condemned the student who allegedly made racist remarks, and considered their remarks to be a reflection of the disregard for the character and attitude of the Indonesian government and people towards the Papuan people.
"Racist speech against the Papuan people has been systematic over time. It has been expressed and manifested in various development policies, military operations, regional expansion, special autonomy, and the merciless exploitation of Papua's natural resources for 62 years (1963-2025). Therefore, Papuans, all people, must be aware of this and rise up against it. Racism is a common enemy, an enemy of the world," said Manase Tabuni.
According to Tabuni, the Papuan people still remember President Sukarno's words on December 19, 1961, when he declared, "Disband the Dutch puppet state of Paoua."
He said the racist rhetoric was then perpetuated by military and civilian officials. Military officials, from Ali Moertopo to the present, as well as a member of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and civilians, also hurled racist remarks at Papuan students at the Kamasan Dormitory in Surabaya, East Java, on August 15, 2019.
"West Papuan students and the people of West Papua continue to experience a barrage of physical and non-physical abuse and threats in various regions of Indonesia, such as Java, Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, Sumatra, and Kalimantan. Many students have become victims. They often face difficulties in obtaining boarding houses, rented accommodation, and places to study," he said.
Meanwhile, Executive Vice President Octovianus Mote of the USA emphasized that Indonesian racism against Papuans is the root cause of various policies of extermination against Papuans over the past six decades.
"At the same time, the Papuan nation, its people, its culture, and the very nature of West Papua are under serious threat," Mote said.
He said, based on the long experience of racism against the Papuan people by the Indonesian government, civil servants, and military, the ULMWP urges the UN, through the UN Human Rights Council, to establish an independent investigative team to investigate the crimes against humanity committed against the Papuan people in West Papua.
The Indonesian government is also being urged to open democratic space by allowing international media, diplomats, and academics access to visit West Papua.
The ULMWP is urging President Prabowo Subianto to halt various development policies, the National Strategic Program (PSN) program in Merauke, military operations, the deployment of non-organic troops, the formation of new units in West Papua, and to halt the flow of migration to West Papua. Together with the ULMWP, we urge the people of Yalimo to remain vigilant and protect themselves. We urge the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) to stop all threats of terror, violence, and shootings of civilians. The Yalimo Police must immediately arrest and prosecute those suspected of racist speech," he said. (*)
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4) Duo charged in gun trafficking case linked to kidnapped Kiwi pilot and West Papuan rebels
2:28 pm today
By Christine Rovoi, PMN
Two men have been charged in an Australian court for allegedly trafficking guns and ammunition to a group of armed rebels after they kidnapped a New Zealand pilot and held him in captivity in West Papua for almost two years.
The men, one from Queensland (QLD) and the other from New South Wales (NSW), are accused of supplying weapons to the National Liberation Army of West Papua (TPNPB).
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) say the arrests followed a lengthy investigation involving multiple agencies. The investigation started after members of the TPNPB kidnapped New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens in February 2023 while he was landing at a remote airstrip in Indonesia's West Papua region.
Mehrtens had been flying there as a pilot but was taken hostage by the TPNPB after landing. He was held for 592 days before being released in September 2024.
The 64-year-old man from NSW and the 44-year-old man from Queensland are also accused of attempting to transport firearms from Australia to the TPNPB and allegedly talked about getting military weapons for the rebel group.
Court reports also reveal that the NSW man travelled to Indonesia in early 2024 to meet with members of the TPNPB and reportedly smuggled an optical rifle scope into the country.
In November 2024, investigators searched the accused's homes in Urunga, NSW, and Eagleby, Queensland, seizing several suspicious items, including 13.6 kilograms of mercury.
The NSW man faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to traffic weapons, while the Queensland man is charged with possessing explosives, which could lead to a maximum of six months in prison. Both men are scheduled to appear in Brisbane's Magistrates Court on 17 October.
Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt warns that anyone involved in trafficking illegal weapons to international groups will be targeted. "The AFP works closely with our international partners, including New Zealand Police, to protect the community by disrupting criminal syndicates and removing illegal firearms."
What is the National Liberation Army of West Papua?
The TPNPB is the armed group fighting for the independence of West Papua from Indonesia.
West Papua, located on the western half of New Guinea, is rich in natural resources but has been under Indonesian control since the 1960s, despite many local people wanting independence.
The region, also known as Indonesian Papua, includes West Papua and its surrounding islands and is home to over 250 different tribal groups.
Its history includes Dutch colonisation, a declaration of independence in 1961, and ongoing conflicts and human rights issues as it remains under Indonesian rule.
West Papua ready to gain independence - Wenda
Benny Wenda, the leader of West Papua's Provisional Government, announced that the territory is preparing to seek independence amid Indonesia's political turmoil.
In a statement, Wenda claims that corruption, economic struggles, and police brutality have sparked massive protests in Indonesia. He called on his people to prepare for what he believes will be a major step towards independence.
Wenda criticised the Indonesian government's legitimacy, saying that after 60 years of occupation, Jakarta has lost the trust of its people.
Since 25 August 2025, there have been protests against President Prabowo Subianto's government, which are reminiscent of the demonstrations in 1998 that ended the dictatorship of President Suharto (one name).
The protests started over a proposed increase in housing allowance for MPs and intensified after police violence against residents.
Wenda says West Papua is a Melanesian country and has been unfairly occupied by Indonesia, which itself was also colonised but gained complete independence.
Wenda says the recent protests have been so powerful that they indicate a potential change in power within Indonesia, with the government even reversing some of its "controversial proposals".
West Papua has already established its own government structure on the ground, signalling its readiness to govern itself independently, Wenda says.
-This article was first published by PMN.
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