2) TPNPB-OPM Calls for Non-Papuans to Leave Gold Mines in Yahukimo
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1) TPNPB-OPM: Thousands of Military Personnel Deployed to Papua Since January 2025
Reporter Dani Aswara April 13, 2025 | 05:37 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) claimed that a total of 6,100 joint personnel of the Indonesian military forces have been deployed to the Papua region from January to April 13, 2025.
"A total of 6,100 joint military personnel of the Indonesian government have entered the war zone in Papua," said TPNPB-OPM Spokesperson Sebby Sambom through a press release on Sunday, April 13.
According to Sebby, the forces’ deployment was covert, through civilian vessels, civilian aircraft, and intelligence officers clad in civilian clothing. The deployment, TPNPB mentioned, was coordinated with the Timika-based regional command.
"The exact number is unknown, and is only known by the TNI Commander and the Indonesian National Defense Forces and the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) as part of the national defense policy," he said.
In the press release, TPNPB also released a video showing the arrival of a warship with the hull number 524 at the Poumako Port, Timika, on Saturday, April 12, which it said was disembarking military personnel.
In response to this military escalation, TPNPB urged the parliament, especially the commission overseeing law and security, to take immediate action. "We request DPR to officially declare the status of Papua to allow for civilians’ evacuation before more casualties occur, especially among children, women, and pregnant women," said Sebby Sambom.
The Head of the TNI Information Center, Brigadier General Kristomei Sianturi, denied TPNPB-OPM’s claim, saying, “there has been no additional forces. The forces currently in Papua are those routinely assigned to guard the Indonesian-Papua New Guinea border."
Nevertheless, Kristomei confirmed that the warship with the hull number 524 had indeed disembarked troops at the Poumako Port, Timika, on April 12, but reasoned that the troops were part of a scheduled rotation. "Indeed, on April 12, 2025, there was a troop disembarkation at the Timika port, which swaps the troops who have completed their duty as guards at the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border," he said.
Previously, the Headquarters Management of the National Command of TPNPB-OPM confirmed the addition of troops from the Meepago region, which have now joined the forces of TPNPB Kodap VIII Intan Jaya, Central Papua, to fight against the Indonesian military. An official report received from the Commander of the TPNPB Kodap XIII Operation Kegepa Nipouda Paniai, Major Hosea Satu Boma, revealed the readiness of the troops to engage in battle.
Hosea stated that, according to the report, the TPNPB forces are currently in the city center of Sugapa, Intan Jaya Regency. "We are ready to engage in battle together with the TPNPB Kodap VIII Intan Jaya forces on the battlefield in Intan Jaya," said Mayor Hosea Satu Boma in his official statement, quoted on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
He mentioned the addition of troops following bomb attacks, which he claimed were carried out by the Indonesian military against civilian settlements from April 7 to 9, 2025. However, the statement was denied by the Head of Information Center of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, Brigadier General Kristomei Sianturi. "There is none. They are usually the ones who intimidate the public," said Kristomei when confirmed on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
2) TPNPB-OPM Calls for Non-Papuans to Leave Gold Mines in Yahukimo
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) has urged people from outside Papua to refrain from engaging in mining activities in the Yahukimo region. TPNPB-OPM spokesman Sebby Sambom referred to the non-Papuan newcomers as 'immigrants' from Indonesia in the operational areas of Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province.
"TPNPB does not compromise with Indonesian immigrant residents in our operational areas throughout Yahukimo," Sebby said in a written statement on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Sebby requested people engaged in gold mining, agarwood logging, and utilizing forest products to leave the Yahukimo region. He also urged the owners of customary mining rights in Yahukimo to adhere to the instructions from TPNPB-OPM.
According to him, small-scale mining in Papua is solely for the welfare of the indigenous people of the region. "Papuans are welcome to manage their natural resources to build places of worship. However, Indonesian immigrants must promptly exit the small-scale mines in Yahukimo," he stated.
Sebby referred to people from outside Papua as Indonesian government intelligence agents. Previously, the OPM suspected the involvement of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) in illegal mining activities in the Korowai District, Yahukimo Regency.
According to Sebby, illegal gold mining activities were first carried out in Papua in 2017. Two years later, in 2019, TPNPB-OPM launched an attack against these illegal gold miners.
Prior to this, between April 6-9, 2025, TPNPB-OPM had executed 17 illegal gold miners in the Yahukimo Regency of Papua Highlands Province. Sebby claimed that the group of people attacked by his forces were part of the Indonesian army, who were also disguised as gold miners.
He emphasized that schools play a vital role in educating the nation's children, making it essential to include them in the program.
However, he clarified that the program will only apply to schools that are financially disadvantaged. As a result, elite schools will be excluded.
"This free school initiative will be implemented this year," Kambu said in Sorong City, the provincial capital, on Sunday.
Sorong City Mayor Septinus Lobat stated that the city government is working closely with the provincial government to ensure both public and private schools benefit from the initiative.
The program will cover essential components such as registration fees, textbooks, and uniforms, Lobat explained.
"However, non-essential components will not be included," he added.
A total of 49,800 students across public and private schools in Sorong are expected to benefit from the program. Lobat noted that budget capacity calculations are still ongoing.
"Certainly, elite schools will not be included in the free education program," he reiterated.
Governor Kambu confirmed on March 5 that the program will be rolled out across all levels of education in the province starting with the new academic year in 2025.
"Free education will be provided from early childhood education to elementary, junior high, high school, and vocational schools. This is our priority," he said.
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Translator: Yuvensius, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
