2) Indonesian troops seize arms after clash in Central Papua
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Uni Melbourne Indonesia at Melbourne
1) Talking Indonesia: Papua, development and politics from below
BY JEMMA PURDEY
26 MARCH 2026
In his inauguration speech in October 2024, President Prabowo Subianto reiterated his campaign pledge to “achieve food security in the shortest possible time”.
He was not the first Indonesian president to make such a declaration. For Jokowi’s administration, too, and now Prabowo’s, West Papua occupies a central place in its ambitions to achieve both food and energy security, with the rollout of massive sugarcane and palm oil plantations to meet increasing biofuel targets, as well as mega rice production. These plans involve the clearing and development of hundreds of thousands of hectares of forests, the customary lands of the indigenous peoples of these regions.
Resource extraction at such a scale by the state and the corporations is backed by military force, often rendering the indigenous communities helpless to respond. But some are fighting back. So just what recourse do the customary owners of the forests of Papua have to resist and take a stand, in the face of such powerful forces?
In this week’s episode, Jemma chats with Rassela Malinda, a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne who lived and worked with indigenous communities in Papua and whose research gives us rare insights into their struggles from below. She previously worked with the NGO Yayasan Pusaka Bentala Rakyat, whose report she draws on in this podcast.
In 2026, the Talking Indonesia podcast is co-hosted by Dr Jemma Purdey from the Australia-Indonesia Centre, Dr Clara Siagian from the University of College London, Dr Jacqui Baker from Murdoch University, Dr Elisabeth Kramer from the University of New South Wales, and Tito Ambyo from RMIT.
Talking Indonesia Audio …………….
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2) Indonesian troops seize arms after clash in Central Papua
March 26, 2026 08:30 GMT+700
Jayapura (ANTARA) - Indonesian troops seized firearms and ammunition after a clash with suspected armed separatists in Central Papua, the military said on Wednesday, as security forces step up patrols in the restive region.
A joint patrol under the Indonesian Military Operations Command, or Koops TNI, recovered two firearms and 22 rounds of ammunition of various calibers from a house believed to have been used as a base by an armed criminal group (KKB) in the Topo area of Nabire District.
Koops TNI spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Wirya Arthadiguna said the weapons were found after troops engaged in a firefight with suspected members of the group near Topo village on Saturday.
“Before discovering the house later identified as a KKB base, there was an exchange of fire in the Topo area,” Wirya said in a statement issued in Jakarta.
He said troops initially detected suspicious activity at a site believed to be used by the group. As soldiers approached the site, a firefight broke out, prompting the suspects to flee into nearby forested areas.
After securing the area, troops found a house containing firearms, ammunition, a Morning Star flag, and other equipment believed to belong to the group.
“The items seized include a P1 pistol, an air rifle, 14 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, and eight rounds of 9 mm ammunition,” Wirya said.
The military did not report any casualties and said the situation had been brought under control.
Security forces in Papua frequently conduct patrols in areas considered prone to attacks by armed groups, which the government classifies as criminal separatists.
Wirya said Koops TNI Papua remains committed to intensifying patrols to maintain stability and protect civilians from threats posed by armed groups.
“Koops TNI is committed to maintaining security stability in Papua and protecting the public from threats, particularly from armed groups, through measured actions in line with procedures,” he said.
Authorities have increased operations in recent years as part of broader efforts to contain violence and ensure security in the region. The military said patrols would continue to maintain a conducive environment and prevent further disruptions to public safety.
Related news: Central Papua Police plan Brimob expansion to reinforce security
Related news: Indonesian military liberates Papuan village, neutralizes 14 rebels
A joint patrol under the Indonesian Military Operations Command, or Koops TNI, recovered two firearms and 22 rounds of ammunition of various calibers from a house believed to have been used as a base by an armed criminal group (KKB) in the Topo area of Nabire District.
Koops TNI spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Wirya Arthadiguna said the weapons were found after troops engaged in a firefight with suspected members of the group near Topo village on Saturday.
“Before discovering the house later identified as a KKB base, there was an exchange of fire in the Topo area,” Wirya said in a statement issued in Jakarta.
He said troops initially detected suspicious activity at a site believed to be used by the group. As soldiers approached the site, a firefight broke out, prompting the suspects to flee into nearby forested areas.
After securing the area, troops found a house containing firearms, ammunition, a Morning Star flag, and other equipment believed to belong to the group.
“The items seized include a P1 pistol, an air rifle, 14 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, and eight rounds of 9 mm ammunition,” Wirya said.
The military did not report any casualties and said the situation had been brought under control.
Security forces in Papua frequently conduct patrols in areas considered prone to attacks by armed groups, which the government classifies as criminal separatists.
Wirya said Koops TNI Papua remains committed to intensifying patrols to maintain stability and protect civilians from threats posed by armed groups.
“Koops TNI is committed to maintaining security stability in Papua and protecting the public from threats, particularly from armed groups, through measured actions in line with procedures,” he said.
Authorities have increased operations in recent years as part of broader efforts to contain violence and ensure security in the region. The military said patrols would continue to maintain a conducive environment and prevent further disruptions to public safety.
Related news: Central Papua Police plan Brimob expansion to reinforce security
Related news: Indonesian military liberates Papuan village, neutralizes 14 rebels
Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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