Wednesday, December 10, 2025

1) The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in Sentani held a peaceful demonstration at the Jayapura Regent's Office to commemorate World Human Rights Day.

1) The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in Sentani held a peaceful demonstration at the Jayapura Regent's Office to commemorate World Human Rights Day.
2) Indonesia plans 100,000 ha land clearing for Papua rice program  
3) Indonesia start construction of 6 police-run MBG kitchens in Papua  
4) West Papuan advocates petition gov't for stronger support 

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A google translate
Original Bahasa link

1) The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in Sentani held a peaceful demonstration at the Jayapura Regent's Office to commemorate World Human Rights Day.
December 10, 2025 in Politics, Law, and Security. Reading Time: 1 min read
0
Author: Silpester Kasipka - Editor: Arjuna Pademme


The peaceful demonstration by the KNPB to commemorate World Human Rights Day in Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua on Wednesday (10/12/2025).-Jubi/Silpester Kasipka



Sentani, Jubi—The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua, held a peaceful demonstration at the Jayapura Regent's Office in Gunung Merah, Sentani, to commemorate World Human Rights Day, Wednesday (12/10/2025).

The demonstration began at around 8:00 a.m. Papua Time and lasted until noon. It was led by Agus Kossay, the General Chairperson of the Central Papua KNPB, as the person in charge of the demonstration, with Balma Kalaka as the field coordinator and Emar Pahabol as the deputy coordinator.

Hundreds of protesters gathered at several gathering points, including Kampung Sereh, Pos 7, Pasar Lama Sentani, and several others. They marched to the Jayapura Regent's office on foot, carrying Morning Star flags and KNPB paraphernalia bearing signs demanding self-determination, resolving human rights violations in Papua from 1996 to the present, and urging the Indonesian government to address these cases.

The demonstration was guarded by Jayapura Police officers, led by Jayapura Police Chief, AKBP Umar Nasatekay. Police secured the route and inspected the group's belongings upon their arrival at the Gunung Merah area before they were allowed to enter the regent's office grounds.

At the Jayapura Regent's Office, the protesters delivered speeches and expressed their aspirations regarding the resolution of alleged human rights violations in Papua.

They awaited the opportunity to meet with Jayapura Regent Yunus Wonda, Deputy Regent Haris Richard Yocku, and the chairman of the Jayapura Regional People's Representative Council (DPRK) to present their demands in person.

As of 1:00 PM WIT, the protesters remained at the location and continued to give speeches. The situation remained peaceful, and security forces continued to monitor the situation. (*)

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2) Indonesia plans 100,000 ha land clearing for Papua rice program  
December 10, 2025 16:43 GMT+700
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government aims to clear 100,000 hectares of land to support rice cultivation in Papua, Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman said.

During a visit to the provincial capital Jayapura on Wednesday, he said his ministry is ready to help the Papua administration achieve its food self-sufficiency goals.

He said the ministry will begin by clearing 20,000 hectares and will soon supply equipment for paddy field preparation to support farmers starting the planting process.

Papua Governor Mathius Fakhiri welcomed the plan, saying that alongside the four districts currently planting rice, two additional districts will also be developed for cultivation.

He said Papua fully supports the rice-paddy development program and hopes for strong community participation, as the results are expected to improve local welfare.

"We should support agricultural development for our farmers to meet their own needs," Sulaiman added.

He also said that the central government has allocated an initial Rp3 trillion, or about US$180 million, to strengthen food production programs, including those in Papua.

Sulaiman reiterated that Indonesia has halted rice imports as national reserves have reached 3.7 million tons, the highest since state-owned logistics firm Bulog was established in 1967.

"Usually, the maximum rice reserve is only around 2 million tons, but now it has increased so that rice demand is met," he said.

Related news: Bulog distributes 65 percent of rice aid to Papua
Related news: West Papua allocates 14 tons of rice for 2024 food security reserve

Translator: Evarukdijati, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Anton Santoso



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3) Indonesia start construction of 6 police-run MBG kitchens in Papua  
December 9, 2025 17:29 GMT+700

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian National Police (Polri) commenced the construction of six additional nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPGs) serving as kitchens under the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) in the Papua region on Tuesday.

Polri Deputy Chief Commissioner General Dedi Prasetyo attended the groundbreaking of the kitchens located in the Keerom and Biak Numfor Districts of Papua Province and in the Merauke District of South Papua Province, according to a statement received in Jakarta.

The ceremony marked the start of the construction of the Keerom Police SPPG, targeting 1,500 recipients; the Biak Numfor Police SPPG, serving 1,000 beneficiaries; and four Merauke Police kitchens expected to reach nearly eight thousand residents.

Prasetyo said the development of MBG kitchens in Papua demonstrates the police's commitment to expanding its services and supporting government efforts to improve people's nutritional intake, particularly in remote and difficult-to-access regions.

“More than mere buildings, these SPPGs constitute Polri's huge investment in efforts to boost its services in the Papua region,” he stated, stressing that the kitchens are intended to benefit the public.

He also affirmed that Polri will continue expanding its services in eastern Indonesia through ongoing SPPG construction and digitalization initiatives.

“Papua remains a priority region. Through the SPPGs and ongoing projects, we aim to provide citizens with proper, modern, and accessible services,” Prasetyo said.

During the ceremony, the three-star general also urged Chair of the Polri MBG Task Force Inspector Gen. Nurwono Danang to prioritize service in remote and underdeveloped areas and conduct direct reviews of SPPG construction work to ensure smooth progress.

The Polri currently operate two SPPGs in the Papua region, managed by the Papua Regional Police and the Jayapura City Police, which serve 1,880 and 2,783 people, respectively, per day.

Nationally, the police aim to establish 1,500 MBG kitchens, with 1,099 already in operational, preparatory, or construction stages.

As of December, the MBG program has served roughly 49 million schoolchildren, breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women, and toddlers nationwide since January 6. The number is expected to hit 82.9 million by March 2026.

Related news: Indonesia mobilizes family planning workers to expand MBG program

Related news: RI Govt to expand free meal program for disabled citizens

Related news: Prabowo counters free meal critics, cites 49 million served daily



Translator: Nadia P, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala


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4) West Papuan advocates petition gov't for stronger support 
By Ezra Toara 4 hrs ago

West Papuan freedom fighters and advocates in Vanuatu have formally submitted a petition calling on the Government to take a stronger and more decisive stance on the issue of West Papuan self-determination.

The petition expresses concern that the Vanuatu Government is not doing enough to support the long-standing struggle of the people of West Papua.


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Saturday, December 6, 2025

West Papua and Its Quest for Freedom

The Santa Barbara Independent

 West Papua and Its Quest for Freedom  

The People of the Remote Region Continue to Fight Indonesian Occupiers
By Craig Harris  
Sat Dec 06, 2025 | 3:56pm

Deep in the jungle of West Papua, Tinus pulls back firmly on his bow string and with clockwork precision takes aim at a bird perched high in the canopy. As he releases the bamboo arrow takes flight guiding swiftly through the air. Diligently, Tinus wraps the bird in banana leaves, for the journey back to his village is long.

His life that of a nomadic hunter-gatherer, is all he has ever known. For thousands of years his people have remained cut off from the outside world. Their reality fixed upon an area of forest unmapped and forgotten. However, as the dark clouds loom overhead and the thunder shakes the ground, it is carrying a message. And Tinus knows all too well, as he has heard from neighboring tribes of unwanted visitors promising knives and tools and with it change.

For 37 years I have been exploring this region, trekking through the highlands and learning about a people and land that have grabbed my heart. I have built lifelong friendships with many of the indigenous people. It is these people and their determination for survival that I am so passionately focused on.

Papua is a Malay word for “frizzy haired people,” a place where some 2 million Melanesian indigenous live among an area of rain forest, swamps, and cloud-snagged mountains, reaching to heights of 16,000 feet, the highest elevation between the Himalayas and the Andes.

In the 1960s Indonesia laid claim to West Papua. Despite efforts to control the West Papuan people, it has failed on all aspects of doing so. Indonesia uniliterally annexed the former Dutch colony in 1969 with the United Nations referendum “Act of Free Choice.” What the Papuans call the “Act of No Choice.”

The Papuans quickly formed the Organisi Papua Merdeka, or Organization Free Papua, (OPM). It is made up of Papuan freedom fighters armed with bows arrows and spears as well as a few guns, obsolete booty of the Dutch. They have proven to be a thorn for the Indonesian military. The number of freedom fighters varies from a few hundred to thousands, depending on who you speak to. However, one thing is for certain their cause burns deeply in most all Papuans.

It’s obvious West Papua opposition to Indonesia will continue because the central government’s presence runs counter to the indigenous values. First, the local people do not feel they belong in Indonesia, experiencing more affinity with the people in the east Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the rest of Melanesia than the people in Indonesia proper. Second, policies of coercing the indigenous peoples into being Indonesian have fueled anti Indonesian feelings in the region. Third, respect for the land is very important to West Papuans and this value is being assaulted by the government’s transmigration and economic policies.

Indonesia sees West Papua as elbowroom. With so many people eking out an area of space on the islands of Java, Suliweisi, and Sumarta the central government brainstormed Operation Transmigration. Implemented in the 1970s the government has already moved at least 300,000 settlers to transmigration camps in West Papua. However, the open invitation has put a strain on the relations of the Papuans and the new arrivals, where more often than not, the native people are found to stand in the way.

With its blistering economy and the world’s fourth largest population, Indonesia can’t afford to lose West Papua. It sees the 26th province as a huge depot of natural resources. Vast amounts of timber, the largest gold mine in the world, and an abundance of copper and huge deposits of oil found in the lowlands.

For years I worked as a tour operator. Guiding small groups of people into this remote area for a glimpse into this fascinating culture. That was back in the late ’90s. Now, present day tourism is at an all time low. The area has become volatile with many tour agencies pulling back.

Between 200,000 and 300,000 Papuans have been killed since Indonesia’s occupation began. A report by Yale law school suggests that the intent of Indonesia’s actions fall within the legal definition of genocide.

In 2022 the U.N. condemned what it described as “shocking abuses” by the Indonesian military, including the killing of children, disappearances, torture, and large scale forced displacement where villagers flee deep into the jungle for safety. Despite global outcry Indonesia has shown little willingness to acknowledge the scale of atrocities, leaving Papuans with little hope other than continued resistance.

Despite parts of West Papua being unknown and unmapped the modern world is arriving, especially those multi-national corporations seeking wealth. The government has marked off great chunks of Papua for resource development. The French are looking for uranium, the Australians for gold, the British and Americans are searching for natural gas and oil, and the Japanese are logging the mangrove swamps. Geologists call Papua “elephant country,” a term for terrain with extra rich deposits. It’s estimated 41 million hectares of forested area to be state forests. This would take away indigenous peoples power to manage and make decisions about the territories they traditionally occupy and depend on.

Many Papuans now have access to mobile phones and the internet. Many are using this technology to coordinate their struggle for freedom and communicate with the rest of the world.

Recent developments in West Papua include the use of drones especially in the densely forested central highlands. Hundreds of villagers have been killed and injured during these military drone operations. Skirmishes in the region between the Indonesian military and the freedom fighters seem to take place on a daily basis.

With world events being what they are, wars, famine, civil unrest, and corrupt governments, most countries have little desire to get involved in West Papua and its quest for freedom. However this only seems to strengthen the people of this remote region as they continue to fight for a cause that ultimately depends on their survival.

“Cepat-cepat” (quickly-quickly), the words echo through the thick air. “We must finish climbing before nightfall.” 

My good friend and porter Nadius peers into my eyes. The mountain is filled with spirits and it’s not safe to climb in the dark. 

With every breath I feel my body struggle. Cautiously we weave and slither across a section of trail that seems to slow our progress to a crawl. Four of us had journeyed deep into the jungle of the eastern highlands of West Papua. Three years had passed since my last trip and I was back to visit one of the 250 indigenous tribes, the Yali or Yalimo (“people of the east”). The territory they inhabit is so rugged few outsiders have penetrated the isolated jungle to witness their way of life. 

My body explodes with excitement. I was back in Papua.

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1) Six KNPB activists arrested, seven others injured


2) History, memory, and pain: Fifty years after the Indonesian invasion of East Timor

3) West Papuan Flag Day Observed, Marking 1961 Flag-Raising




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A google translate.
Original Bahasa link
https://jubi.id/rilis-pers/2025/enam-aktivis-knpb-ditangkap-tujuh-lainnya-terluka/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOhhvNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFPaU9OZ0N6UnAyS1B4cnNhc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlpXHSI4N42YkUHTISVj91o5nvkUhFS-ELk_YInSIQpKOzVpM2Kj60KBY3Ld_aem_weUoelNIOvOpFMYsUe16dQ

1) Six KNPB activists arrested, seven others injured
December 6, 2025 in Press Release Reading Time: 2 mins read
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Author: Jubi Admin - Editor: Arjuna Pademme

Jayapura, Jubi – Six activists from the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) were reportedly arrested by the Jayapura Police, Papua, and seven others were injured, allegedly after being beaten by police.

The arrests and alleged beatings occurred as the KNPB activists and the people gathered to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) and distribute flyers for a peaceful demonstration commemorating World Human Rights Day on December 10, 2025, at the BTN Matoa Sentani Field, Jayapura Regency, on Saturday (December 6, 2025).

A written press release received by Jubi stated that the protesters were beaten when the KNPB Chairman and activists attempted to negotiate with the police. However, the police instead resorted to beatings using rubber bands and bamboo.

"From 8:20 a.m. Papua Time (WP) to 9:53 a.m. WP, several KNPB members and residents from various sectors arrived at the BTN Matoa field. At 10:56 a.m. WP, police officers approached the crowd and activists. Negotiations were attempted, but the police deployed personnel indiscriminately against the KNPB activists," the KNPB wrote in a press release received on Saturday (6/12/2025).

According to the KNPB, at 11:03 a.m., all activists and bystanders at the location were beaten, and some were even intimidated and arrested. Police then took six KNPB activists and two motorcycles to the Jayapura Police Station.

Some of the activists reportedly beaten by police were Fengky Kogoya (splitting lip), Dortius Tengket (splitting lip), Lukas Deal (struck on the back of the head), Thyna Lokon (struck on the back of the head, causing bleeding), Rambo Wenda (struck on the head and injured hand), Erson T Kalaka (struck on the arm), and Elky Matuan (struck on the arm).

Meanwhile, the activists arrested were Yanius Wuyndam, Nando Pase, Melky Pase, Agus Deal, Demanus Deal, and Nesta Enambere.

Meanwhile, Jayapura Police Chief, AKBP Umar Nasatekay, stated in a text message to Jubi that, based on information received, the event at the STT GIDI Sports Hall was a Christmas invitation.

"According to the invitation, it was for Christmas. There was a warning to come in casual attire for Christmas. But they came in camouflage clothing, carrying the KNPB flag. It's not Christmas. So, they created the situation themselves; we were just providing security," said Umar Nasatekay. (*)

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Ivo Mateus Goncalves


2) History, memory, and pain: Fifty years after the Indonesian invasion of East Timor

On 7 December 2025, fifty years since Indonesian troops invaded East Timor, survivors and their descendants continue to live with the legacy of occupation, violence and loss – and to insist that remembrance, truth and justice still matter.

Fifty years ago, on December 7, 1975, Indonesian troops stormed into East Timor. What Jakarta called “integration” became one of Southeast Asia’s darkest chapters – a 24-year occupation that left tens of thousands dead and a nation scarred.

The invasion came just days after East Timor’s brief independence declaration by Fretilin on 28 November. Indonesia justified its move as a bulwark against communism, a claim that resonated with Cold War powers. Behind the rhetoric lay strategic ambitions and silence from allies who supplied weapons and diplomatic cover.

The cost was staggering. Villages burned, famine spread, and civilians bore the brunt of military operations. The Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR) later documented torture, sexual violence, and forced displacement. Estimates suggest up to 200,000 lives lost – a third of the population.

For years, the world looked away. Western governments prioritised regional stability over human rights. It took the Santa Cruz massacre in 1991 – when Indonesian troops fired on peaceful demonstrators in Dili – for global attention to turn. Images smuggled out of the cemetery shocked audiences and galvanised solidarity movements from Lisbon to Melbourne.

Survivors’ testimonies reveal the human cost behind the statistics.

“I will never forget this, even if I have passed away,” said Maria, who was sexually violated during interrogation after being captured in 1979. “I hate this… I really, really hate this. Although I have had children, I still keep my revenge and hate inside my heart.”

In Lospalos, Berta dos Santos recalled the day Indonesian paratroopers descended on her village:

“They came down by parachute and started shooting,” she said. At just nine years old, she was raped by soldiers. Her mother was dragged away and forced into sexual slavery. “The army searched for us in the bush, captured us and took us back.”

These voices echo thousands of others recorded in the Chega! Report, which documented systematic killings, starvation, and sexual violence. For many, the trauma remains raw.

“This is the worst thing that has happened to me,” Maria said. “At the time, I did not care about death at all, whatever was going to happen to me could just happen.”

Today, memory is everywhere in Timor-Leste. Murals of martyrs line the streets of Dili. Songs of resistance echo at commemorations. Families still search for missing loved ones. Pain is not just history – it is lived experience, passed down through generations.

Sites of memory, such as the Santa Cruz Cemetery and the Resistance Museum, serve as spaces for mourning and reflection. They remind visitors that independence was not a gift but a hard-won struggle marked by sacrifice.

Independence in 2002 brought freedom, but not closure. Timor-Leste’s political culture is shaped by values forged in struggle: resilience, sacrifice, and solidarity. These principles guide its foreign policy as the country edges closer to ASEAN membership, a milestone that reflects its determination to move from isolation to regional integration.

For Indonesia, acknowledging this past is not a threat – it is a chance to deepen ties through truth and reconciliation. Bilateral relations have improved significantly, with cooperation in trade, education, and security. Yet, for many Timorese, justice remains elusive. Few perpetrators have faced trial, and calls for accountability continue to echo.

Commemorating the invasion’s 50th anniversary is not about reopening wounds. It is about remembering lives lost and ensuring history does not repeat itself. Memory is a moral obligation. It reminds us that sovereignty matters, and that regional stability must be built on justice.

The story of Timor-Leste is also a warning. In an era of geopolitical competition, small nations remain vulnerable. The lessons of 1975 – intervention, complicity, and silence – are as relevant today as they were then.

Fifty years on, the question lingers: what does it mean to remember? For Timor-Leste, it means dignity. For Indonesia, accountability. For Southeast Asia, a lesson – that peace demands truth.

The views expressed in this article may or may not reflect those of Pearls and Irritations.

Ivo Mateus Goncalve

Ivo Mateus Gonçalves received his PhD from the Australian National University in 2024. His thesis examines Timor-Leste’s history of activism, with a focus on student movements.

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3) West Papuan Flag Day Observed, Marking 1961 Flag-Raising

Christopher Eby


DECEMBER 6, 2025 — Supporters Of West Papuan Self-Determination Marked West Papuan National Flag Day On December 1st, Says The National Indigenous Times, With Ceremonies Held Globally To Raise The Morning Star Flag, The National Emblem First Officially Flown In 1961. 

The Flag Was Displayed At Numerous Locations, Including For The Nineteenth Consecutive Year At Leichhardt Town Hall In Sydney, Australia, On Gadigal Country.

The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney) Reflected On The History Of West Papua, Stating, “As The Dutch Prepared To Give The West Papuan People Their Freedom, It Is One Of The Great Tragedies That At Their Moment Of Freedom It Was Cruelly Crushed And West Papua Was Basically Handed Over To Indonesia In 1963 By The International Community.”

The Association Also Underscored The Danger Faced By Those Observing The Day In The Territory Itself, Saying, “In Indonesian-Occupied West Papua, The Brave People Who Raise The Flag Will Be Risking Arrest, Beatings And Even Death For This Act.”

During The Sydney Ceremony, West Papuan Jack Warisyu, Who Raised The Flag, Expressed Disappointment With The Australian Government’s Stance, Noting, “West Papua Is On Our Doorstep, Only 200 Miles From The Australian Border, And It Is Very Sad That The Albanese Government Keeps On Denying The Our Fight Against Injustice, Against Discrimination, Against Human Rights Abuse Just For Our Right To Self-Determination.” 

Successive Australian Federal Governments Have Supported The Indonesian Government.

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Thursday, December 4, 2025

1) West Papua solidarity in Timor-Leste


2) Indonesia deepens defense ties with Australia, Papua New Guinea 

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1) West Papua solidarity in Timor-Leste
  
 


                                            A collection box at Dilicious Restaurant/ Vannessa Hearman

Students and youths have been instrumental in driving grassroots solidarity and activism

Forms of solidarity have persisted between Indonesians and East Timorese after the restoration of Timor-Leste’s independence in May 2002. This solidarity is underpinned by shared historical experiences of New Order authoritarian rule and a commitment to dismantling colonialism. While much post-independence solidarity has focused on reconciliation and addressing the history of violence, occupation and human rights abuses, grassroots activism advocating for West Papua’s right to self-determination has also arisen in Timor-Leste.

Students and youths have been instrumental in this activism. Those from the National University of Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL) have organised demonstrations, disseminated public statements, and convened forums to advocate for the West Papuan cause. As well, civil society organisations have organised protests, often in front of the Indonesian Embassy in Dili. These have involved acts such as displaying the Morning Star flag, appeals for United Nations intervention, and public awareness raising. In May 2025, UNTL students held a press conference and called on UN member states and the Indonesian government to hold ‘another referendum’, a reference to the flawed 1961 UN Act of Free Choice.

In responding to West Papua-related activism, the East Timorese government has sought to balance the country’s right to freedom of expression on the one hand and its relationship with Indonesia on the other. State repression has most acutely impacted grassroots activists. In August 2019, 46 students were arrested for protesting Indonesian policies in West Papua. A few months later, on 10 December 2019, Human Rights Day, five Timorese students were detained during a protest.

Protest bans increased around the time of Pope Francis’s visit in September 2024. Authorities banned protests about West Papua, Palestine and LGBTIQ+ issues, citing national security concerns. The decision drew sharp criticism from legal experts and civil society groups. They argued it was unconstitutional and a backward step in realising Timor-Leste’s commitment to human rights.

In the lead-up to the Pope’s visit, human rights defender Nelson Roldão was arrested at Dili Airport on 2 September 2024 for carrying a bag adorned with West Papuan symbols. He was subjected to interrogation, physical assault, and prolonged detention. On 10 September, another activist, Nelson Xavier—who lives with a disability—was arrested for displaying 'Free West Papua' and 'Free Palestine' placards during the papal visit.

Despite such incidents, East Timorese activists remain resolute. Among them is César Trinito Gaio, a young restaurateur who champions locally grown organic food in Timor-Leste. 'West Papua’s fight is real', he affirms. 'It’s about freedom—just like ours was. We know this struggle because we lived it.'


For years, César’s restaurant, Dilicious, has served as a hub for activists and youth movements, as well as a space for solidarity gatherings in Dili.

However, the political climate has shifted. 'I’ve been threatened by police and monitored by intelligence agents', he recounts. 'They warned me not to host events on 1 December, West Papua’s Independence Day. So, for two years, we had to stop.'

But César believes Timor-Leste bears a moral responsibility to speak out. 'We can’t stay silent. West Papua had its own flag, parliament, and government before Indonesia invaded. That history matters. Solidarity isn’t just politics—it’s about justice.'

Ivo Mateus Gonçalves da Cruz Fernandes received his PhD from the Australian National University in 2024. His thesis examines Timor-Leste’s history of activism, with a focus on student movements. 

Inside Indonesia 162: Oct-Dec 2025



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2) Indonesia deepens defense ties with Australia, Papua New Guinea 

 December 4, 2025 14:06 GMT+700


Indonesia’s Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin strengthened military cooperation with Australia and Papua New Guinea during a trilateral meeting in Papua New Guinea on Wednesday.

“Such meetings are essential to advancing and expanding defense collaboration among our nations,” Sjafrie said in a statement received in Jakarta.

He described the talks as a strategic government agenda with the potential to deliver important progress in defense dialogue.

The cooperation aims to enhance security and stability across the Indo-Pacific region.

Sjafrie noted that the meeting could open pathways for deeper strategic partnerships and stronger mutual trust in defense.

The trilateral gathering was attended by Papua New Guinea Defense Minister Billy Joseph and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles.

Indonesia and Australia recently reaffirmed their bilateral Defence Cooperation Arrangement (DCA), signed in August 2024, which includes joint exercises, personnel exchanges, and expanded defense dialogue.

In October 2025, the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) held high-level talks on joint training and operations at Lanud Leo Wattimena in Morotai.

The two countries also conducted the Bhakti Kanyini Ausindo 2025 tsunami mitigation exercise in Banten, underscoring closer defense and humanitarian cooperation.

Indonesia and Papua New Guinea have also taken concrete steps to deepen defense cooperation. During a meeting in Port Moresby on July 7, 2025, Sjafrie and PNG Defense Minister Billy M Joseph discussed accelerating a bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement through a joint working group.

The agreement outlines plans for joint military training, personnel exchanges for education and training, and potential collaboration on military technology and operational readiness.

Related news: Indonesia, Australia agree on new defense pact

Related news: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea eye stronger defense ties

Translator: Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak
Editor: Primayanti


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Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Papuan Skies -A great informative night

A very informative night


 Green Left



















                                 Photo Peter Boyle

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The Gecko Project 

Papuan Skies: On the frontlines of Indonesia's "food estate" project (Bahasa Indonesia & English)



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