Jakarta, June 11, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the repeated harassment of Indonesian news site Floresa following its coverage of an investigative documentary about deforestation in Papua province caused by aggressive agribusiness expansion.
On June 5, a Floresa journalist discovered three rotten chicken heads outside the outlet’s office in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, in an act of intimidation that echoed the severed pig’s head delivered to leading independent news outlet Tempo last year. On the same day, eggs were thrown at a coffee shop operated by Floresa next door.
The incidents followed threatening text message sent last month to editor-in-chief Ryan Dagur Flores, Floresa said.
“The threats against Floresa are a frightening reminder of the intimidation Indonesian journalists regularly face,” said CPJ’s Asia-Pacific Regional Director Beh Lih Yi. “Authorities must take action to show this type of harassment is unacceptable, and ensure a free and tolerant environment for the press that’s consistent with the country’s reputation as a vibrant democracy.”
Floresa editor Anno Susabun said he suspected the threats were related to recentstories about the documentary film “Pesta Babi: Kolonialisme di Zaman Kita” (Pesta Babi: Colonialism in Our Time), which spotlights indigenous communities resisting the environmental and cultural impact of state-backed agricultural projects in Papua.
The documentary, which has been viewed more than 13 million times on YouTube, has triggered backlash and censorship from Indonesian authorities, while the filmmakershave faced intimidation and harassment. Screenings of the film have been held in about 800 locations around Indonesia and at least 50 of them have been disbanded, mostly by the military.
Susabun told CPJ that, on May 13, Flores received a threatening WhatsApp message from someone claiming to be from the National Police’s Cybercrime Directorate. The message contained Flores’ personal data, including his home address and recent location, and demanded that all social media content related to the Pesta Babi articles be taken down. Fearing for his safety, Flores temporarily relocated from Labuan Bajo, Susabun said.
In March last year, a pig’s head and decapitated rats were delivered to a Tempo journalist after her critical reporting on revisions to the Indonesian Military (TNI) Law.
The East Nusa Tenggara Police and the Indonesian National Police did not reply to CPJ’s emailed requests for comment.
"With the Regional Spatial Plan, the governments together with relevant ministries and agencies could begin to move more quickly in terms of spatial planning, regulations, and other technical aspects," Haluk said in a statement received here on Thursday.
Haluk explained the Ministry has undertaken various preparatory and synchronisation measures with regional governments, as a follow up to Presidential Instruction Number 14 of 2025 on the Acceleration of KSPEAN Development, particularly in South Papua.
One of the key achievements completed is the formulation of Regional Spatial Plan for South Papua for 2025-2029 period, which serves as the primary foundation for directing integrated regional development.
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According to Haluk, the Regional Spatial Plan will provide certainty regarding development directions, while accelerating coordination among ministries, agencies, and regional governments, in supporting the development of food and energy production centers in South Papua.
In addition to planning and regulatory aspects, Haluk emphasised the importance of a social approach that prioritises active communication with local communities, particularly customary land rights holders.
She stressed the success of development is determined not only by technical readiness, but also by the government's ability to build trust and mutual understanding with local communities.
"When communication does not run well, then various misunderstandings may arise and potentially hinder program implementation," she remarked.
Furthermore, she expressed hope the synergy among the central government, regional governments, and communities would accelerate the realisation of KSPEAN development, as one of the national strategic projects supporting food and energy security and development in eastern Indonesia.
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Translator: Fianda, Kenzu
Editor: Fransiska Ninditya
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