Category: Briefing by Papuan Civil Society members

MIFEE: Changes to the Moratorium Map around Merauke, and Medco’s Sugar Plans

Analysis

By

August 4, 2013

The forestry ministry recently released decision (SK) 2796 of 2013, concerning the Indicative Map for the Moratorium on New Forest Use Licences (PIPIB). This provision sets out the fourth revision of Indonesia’s moratorium map. In various parts of Merauke Regency, Papua Province, there have been several important changes to the moratorium map since the original map was published in 2011. These changes have tended to accommodate the permits of investor companies in the MIFEE framework, who want to develop food and energy businesses.

Comparing sheet 3407 of the moratorium map’s fourth revision (2013), to the corresponding map from 2012 shows that the forest land has been reduced around Kampung Sermayam Indah. This change can be identified as a way to accommodate the permits of two sugar cane plantation companies: PT Papua Daya Bio Energy and PT Tebu Wahana Kreasi, which are believed to be owned by the Medco Agro Group.

The Merauke local government issued location permits in 2010 for the two companies. PT Papua Daya Bio Energi was awarded 13,396 hectares while PT Tebu Wahana Kreasi got 20,282 hectares. During 2012, the companies presented their plans to the public at the Tanah Miring district office, where they spoke about compensation and made promises, as well as handing out t-shirts.

“The company has only spoken of its plans that one time, after that I don’t  know. They want to use forest land from SP9 here in Kampung Hidup Baru up to the Senayu area. Maybe they have already surveyed the land but we don’t know”, said Bonefasius Kaize, a customary landowner from Kampung Hidup Baru, Tanah Miring district.

Marind people living around the companies’ concessions in Tanah Miring know very little about the two companies plans or activities. They have also never met with government officials from the Forestry and Plantation Service who have conducted their own survey on the use of forest lands in the area.

“We don’t have any information, many people come and claim they have rights over this land, without sitting down and talking to local landowners, such as a cocoa plantation in Tanah Miring”, said Natalis Ndiken, a traditional leader in Kampung Tambat, Tanah Miring district.

The people do not know – and have never been given information about – changes to the moratorium map. They don’t know which people or institutions have been giving out permits to use the forests grasslands and swamps owned by local people between Kampung Hidup Baru and Senayu.

This claim of the local people conflicts with the contents of decision SK 2796/2013, that changes to the moratorium map were based on community input.  This provision is based on nothing more that companies’ claims and permits.  It ignores the rights of the people to their land and the Papuan people’s local knowledge and systems of managing natural resources.

Source: Pusaka
http://pusaka.or.id/revisi-peta-indikatif-pipib-2013-di-merauke-hanya-berdasarkan-izin-perusahaan/
English translation: https://awasmifee.potager.org/?p=456
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Statement by LP3BH on the Need for Dialogue between Papua and Indonesia

Statement by the Executive Director of LP3BH
31 July, 2013LP3BH-Manokwari, an organisation which advocates human rights for the people of the Land of Papua, strongly supports the move which has been taken by the MRP (Papuan People’s Council)  to call for peaceful dialogue between Papua and Indonesia.

This move is very much in accord with Law 21/2001 on Special Autonomy for the Province of Papua which grants full powers to  the MRP  as the cultural representative of the indigenous Papuan people.

It is crucially important for the dialogue to take place in 2013 because this is the best way  to secure a peaceful and dignified solution to the conflict and the many substantial problems in the Land of Papua.

A number of leaders of countries such as the UK,  the USA, New Zealand, Australia and several European countries, as well as the United Nations, have also called on the Government  of Indonesia to agree to a peaceful dialogue as the way to resolve the problems in Papua. Bearing all this in mind, the LP3BH believes that  there are strong reasons for the Government  of Indonesia under the leadership of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to  provide the space for such a dialogue to take place.

Moreover, it is unconstitutional for the Ministry of the Interior and other government ministries in Jakarta to press for an evaluation of of the Special Autonomy Law as this is in violation of Articles 77 and 78 on the evaluation or amendment of the law.

The LP3BH once again  expresses full support for the moves by the MRP for Papua and West Papua  for the holding of a dialogue between Papua and Indonesia  and various people’s representative bodies bodies such  the DPR-Papua and the DPR-West Papua to support such a move.

Peace

Yan Christian Warinussy,

Executive Director of the LP3BH

[Translated by TAPOL]

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Marind Intellectuals Oppose Corporation’s Development on their land

from our friends at AWASMifee

June 24, 2013

Over the last few months, a series of meetings have taken place in villages around Merauke to discuss development plans, within the framework of local adat, or customary law. In each one, a resolution has been made, a clear rejection of all investment. The document below, from a new grouping of Marind intellectuals called FORMASI SSUMAWOMA, is an open letter to the Merauke Regency government and other decision-making bodies, which describes these meetings and the reasons for their opposition.

It is an important document because much of the recent news we have received from Merauke has focussed on local people’s struggles for companies to meet their practical and necessary demands after companies have already forced their way in, such as a reasonable level of compensation when their land and trees are taken from them, or that the company keep their promises to employ local people. However this letter reaffirms that there is still a significant part of the community which opposes all the current development plans. The main reason is quite clear: that the forest not only is the source of people’s livelihood, but also their culture and their identity. When the forest is gone, how can the Malind Amin continue to exist?

The authors also make clear that their opposition is not an absolute rejection of all possible forms of development, but a recognition that, socially marginalised and with limited education, the Marind Anim are a long way from being in a position to determine the way outside investors could play a role in their development, in a way that will benefit them rather than destroy them.

“The Malind Anim people are also normal people who want to feel the touch of development, and an increase in security in many aspects of our lives, but also we don’t want to be marginalised by the wave of modernisation and globalisation which continues to sweep in with all its sophistications. In the same way, we also don’t want to lose our identity as the AMIN-HA, a true people whose culture remains strong, as the basic rights we have held through many generations are forcibly snatched away from us by companies, holding permits issued by the
governments which have made themselves managers of our customary lands.”
———————————————————————

Full Letter from Marind Adat leaders:
FORUM OF PEOPLE AND INTELLECTUALS OF THE MARIND WOYU MAKLEW ANIM SUB-ETHNIC GROUP ( FORMASI SSUMAWOMA )

TUBANG AND ILWAYAB DISTRICTS, MERAUKE REGENCY, PAPUA

Address of Secretariat : Jln Pemuda Kelapa lima Merauke

Document Number : 001/FORMASI-SSUMAWOMA/V/2013

Concerning : Statement rejecting corporate investment.

To:

Bupati, Merauke Regency

Respectfully,

We wish to present the findings of our studies, which have taking into account many aspects of the Marind Anim indigenous people’s lives and how they interconnect, alongside suggestions, advice and decisions which have come out of several adat (customary law) meetings.

One of these adat meetings took place on 19th May 2012 in Makaling village. Adat chiefs and indigenous people were present from four districts (Ilwayab, Tubang, Okaba and Ngguti). The adat meeting reached the following conclusion: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE REFUSE TO GIVE UP THEIR CUSTOMARY LAND TO CORPORATIONS.  This act of resistance was accompanied by a ritual to enact the adat decision. Adat leaders from each village held a ‘pole of agreement’ which had been tied with young coconut leaves and planted in the ground. These poles are known as SAL or SASIH MARKERS, and signify that activities on the land are prohibited.

The decision of another adat meeting on 8th May 2013 in Kampung Woboyu,
Tubang District (which was sponsored by the Mayora Group) was as follows
“WE, THE MARIND WOYU MAKALEW INDIGENOUS PEOPLE REJECT ALL INVESTMENT ACTIVITY ON OUR TERRITORY”.  Meanwhile a meeting between Marind indigenous intellectuals and companies, sponsored by the Merauke Regency Adat People’s Organisation (Lembaga Masyarakat Adat) on 21st May 2013 in the Swiss Bel Hotel in Merauke, stated in their decision that they would
“EMPHATICALLY REJECT COMPANIES THAT ARE CURRENTLY PURSUING INVESTMENTS, OR WANT TO INVEST, ON MARIND ANIM ANCESTRAL LAND”.

To speak of the Marind culture means to speak about the way hundreds of  indigenous communities think, feel and act about their relationship to nature, and to the Creator.

Through these ways of thinking, feeling and acting, indigenous people are coming to realise that a great threat is beginning to endanger their very existence. An example are the sasih markers, a sign to forbid the passage of all people, whether they are part of this culture or not (ie. settlers). These markers are intended to block off access for a long time to protect the natural flora and fauna of the Marind Anim. AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND INTELLECTUALS WE CALL ON THE GOVERNMENT, COMPANIES AND ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO SHOW THE HIGHEST RESPECT FOR THE MARIND ANIM INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND THEIR ADAT LAW (LOCAL WISDOM). RESPECT AND OBEY THE SASIH MARKERS AS A SIGN OF PROHIBITION UNDER ADAT LAW.

Based on the decisions of the adat meetings described above, we as intellectuals of the Marind Woyu Maklew sub-ethnic group in Tubang and Ilwayab districts have been given a full mandate to report the decisions made at those adat meetings to the government, companies and all stakeholders in the Merauke Regency and Papua Province. Those decisions reflect views from the following villages: Ilwayab and Bibiken in Ilwayab District, Wamal, Dokib, Yowied, Dodalim, Woboyu and Welbuti in Tubang district. Taking into account the statements reported above, the
Forum of Intellectuals of the Marind Woyu Maklew Sub-Ethnic Group of Ilwayab and Tubang districts, also hereby present the opinion of indigenous people in Okaba and Ngguti districts, as decided in the Adat meeting which took place on 19th May 2012 in Kampung Makaling, Okaba District.

“WE, AS INTELLECTUALS OF THE MARIND WOYU MAKLEW SUB-ETHNIC
GROUP HAVE DECIDED TODAY, 25TH MAY 2013: WE REJECT THE COMPANIES WHOSE NAMES ARE RECORDED HERE, INCLUDING:

  • PT. RANDU KUNING UTAMA
  • PT. SWARNA HIJAU INDAH
  • PT. WAHANA SAMUDERA
  • PT. KURNIA ALAM NUSANTARA
  • PT. DHARMA AGRO LESTARI

WHAT THE MARIND WOYU MAKLEW ANIM INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THE LAND WHICH BRINGS THEM LIFE (THEIR MOTHER)
The Forest is not only the source of the Malind Anim people’s livelihood, it is also the source of Papuan people’s innermost sense of being, especially the Marind. If the forest is lost then all elements of their culture are lost, and the people will even lose their very identity as Marind Anim Ha. Even despite this, we do not want to reject all forms of progress out of hand.  However we are very concerned about several companies which are already operating in other areas of Merauke regency,
as we have outlined above.

The Malind Anim people are also normal people who want to feel the touch of development, and an increase in security in many aspects of our lives, but also we don’t want to be marginalised by the wave of modernisation and globalisation which continues to sweep in with all its sophistications. In the same way, we also don’t want to lose our identity as the AMIN-HA, a true people whose culture remains strong, as the basic rights we have held through many generations are  forcibly snatched away from us by companies, holding permits issued by the
governments which have made themselves managers of our customary lands.

Although we totally understand the reasons for the policy of encouraging corporate investors, the fact is that none of these investors support the indigenous people or people who live in isolated villages far from the recency capital. Maybe if there were 100 people in each village who had received a university-level education, then we might be able to stand up for ourselves, but the truth is that currently we are not
sufficiently consolidated in that way to be able to accept corporate investment on our territory.

Here are some points of forest wisdom, based on the unity of people and land within the soul of Papuan nature.

  • To speak of Papuan culture, at least for the Malind Anim, means speaking about the ways that hundreds of indigenous communities think, feel and act, and their relationship with nature and the creator.
  • The relationship with nature (forest, land, animals and water) is like the connection between a child and their mother.
  • Papuans’ relationships with each other are based on cultural values of solidarity and mutual aid, justice and peace.
  • The Malind Anim are a religious people, close to their creator. They knew about God long before missionaries came to bring God into
    their culture.
  • Merauke/Malind Anim is rich in diversity, whether cultural or flora and fauna.
  • The Malind Anim culture represents the sense of identity of the community that follows it, and that is why it must be protected and nurtured along with the diverse flora and fauna that also inhabit Malind Anim lands.
  • The Malind Anim culture is not just a dance, a ritual or a carving. It is not a mere representation of a culture, decorated in mud, leaves and vines or other forest  fibres.
  • If the Malind Anim culture is not protected and nurtured it will disappear, and with it the Malind Amin people’s sense of self.
  • The Malind Anim culture is indistinguishable from the ways of thinking, feeling and acting that encompass the Malind People’s existence as a whole.
  • Nature is not only the focus of people’s livelihood, but also the centre of the Malind Anim culture, which to an outsider would seem to be a treasure which you could never put a price on.
  • The values of the ancestors are alive within the culture, but are constantly being shaken by individualist, hedonist or consumerist values, or by those who deceitfully steal the forest.

REASON FOR OPPOSITION: “LAND IS AN INVESTMENT FOR ETERNITY, UNCEASING, FOR ALL TIME”

These are the reasons why we reject investors in our villages in Ilwayab, Tubang, Okaba and Ngguti districts:

  1. There is actually not so much Indigenous people’s land in Ilwayab, Tubang, Okaba and Ngguti districts, and the numbers of inhabitants are variable. Therefore we do not intend to give our customary land to any company, because in future generations, we hope that the Malind Woyu Maklew sub-ethnic group will continue to grow in numbers and develop.
  2. The indigenous peoples of Ilwayab, Tubang, Okaba and Ngguti districts are not ready to accept any company with sophisticated technology, Corporate Social Responsibility programs and corporate management. If we villagers are regarded as human resources, we are of little value in the company’s office-based approach to work. As we are aware of this, we know we couldn’t compete with labour brought in from outside Merauke, from Java or even outside Indonesia, because we have
    only received education up to high school level.
  3. We will ensure that indigenous land in Ilwayab, Tubang, Okaba, Ngguti and nearby areas is protected for local people to uphold our destiny to continue our everyday livelihoods.
  4. Forest is the primary source of livelihood for Papuan Indigenous people in general and especially in Ilwayab, Tubang, Okaba and Ngguti districts.  From the time of our ancestors we have used it for our everyday necessities, and if it is lost then we have also not only lost the source of our livelihood in terms of physical necessities, but also our cultural livelihood. For Papuans and especially for us in the Malind
    land, this cultural life is firmly connected to our identity, like a mother and a father, and always connected with the universe.
  5. Our culture will be lost if all the forest is lost, or if companies invest in our  customary forest / our lifeblood. That is why we made the agreements in the meetings in the four districts. We will face great difficulties if the forest is gone.
  6. The land and forest make up the for the people of Ilwayab, Tubang, Okaba and Ngguti‘s cultural identity, and the forest is our mother, and the people will not sell their own mother. As an example, the wood to make kandala or tifa drums is taken from the forest, and the bark of the cajuput tree is used for the roofs of our houses, which means that the forest is very important not only for our cultural life but also to build our houses. As well as house-building materials, earth for decorating or painting our faces (tanah poo) also comes from the forest, and there are other important cultural rituals which are closely linked to Malind Anim people‘s lives. There are many sacred sites around our land which must not be disturbed, and these are only a few of the forest’s functions for us as indigenous people.
  7. We have also learnt from the companies which have already started operations such as PT Central Cipta Murdaya, PT Bio Inti Agrindo, PT Agriprima Cipta Persada, PT Wahana Mulia Sukses Sejati, PT Medco Papua, PT Rajawali Group and PT Dongin Prabhawa, which have already plundered the people’s forest until there is none left, with the excuse that later Corporate Social Responsibility programs would bring prosperity to the people, but there have proved to be nothing more than lies which were never realised. It is exceptionally rare that Papuans or Malind Anim people or youth are employed by these companies as directors, supervisors or office staff.  In the few cases where Papuans are employed, they are not local villagers who hold customary rights over the land. On the contrary, when PT Medco started its operations, the people were tricked and then abandoned. The companies have violated the people’s rights in many ways, and this has caused great hardship.
  8. Forest clearance on such a large scale will also have a negative impact on the global climate. Preventing global warming is another reason why we we mean to preserve the customary forest in Ilwayab, Tubang, Okaba and Ngguti districts, as well as to safeguard the forest for future generations, so that it can also be a source of livelihood for our grandchildren.

This statement of opposition has been written absolutely without any form of duress from anyone.  This letter is the official voice of the indigenous people and clans which own the customary rights over land in Ilwayab and Tubang districts, alongside indigenous people from Okaba and Ngguti districts. The Intellectual Forum wishes to convey this voice to the government and companies. We hope that God and the Marind Anim ancestors remain by our side and bless us all, now and forever Amen.

written in Merauke, 25 May 2013

Respectfully,

MANAGEMENT BOARD

FORMASI- SSUMAWOMA

S. KOEL SAMKAKAI, S.Sos

Vice Chair I

M. ONG’OWIE MAHUZE, S.Pd

General Secretary

COPIED TO :

  • Papuan Provincial Government in Jayapura
  • Chair of Papua Provincial Legislative Assembly in Jayapura
  • Chair ofPapua Consultative Assembly (MRP) Jayapura
  • Chair of the Papuan Provincial Development Planning Board in Jayapura.
  • Chair of the Papuan Provincial National Land Agency in Jayapura
  • Chair of the Papua Province Forestry Service in Jayapura
  • Chair of the Papuan branch of the National Human Rights Commission
    in Jayapura
  • Archbishop of Merauke
  • Chair of the Merauke District Legislative Assembly
  • Chair of the Merauke Regency Development Planning Board
  • Chair of the Merauke Regency branch of the National Land Agency
  • Chair of the Merauke Regency Forestry and Plantation Service
  • Chair of the Merauke Regency Investment and Promotion Board
  • Chair of the Merauke Regency Lembaga Masyarakat Adat
  • Head of Tubang District
  • Head of Ilwayab District
  • Head of Ngguti District
  • Head of Okaba District
  • Pastor of Okaba parish
  • Leaders of PT. Randu Kuning Utama in Merauke
  • Leaders of PT. Swarna Hijau Indah in Merauke
  • Leaders of PT. Wahana Samudera in Merauke
  • Leaders of PT. Kurnia Alam Nusantara in Merauke
  • Leaders of PT. Dharma Agro Lestari in Merauke
  • Archive
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MIFEE: Customary Landowners Block Access to PT Rajawali’s Land

[also: Meeting with Company, Local Communities Received Compensation of IDR 1 Billion – see below]

Source: Tabloid Jubi

English Translation by AwasMIFEE

Customary Landowners Block Access to PT Rajawali’s Land

The issue of PT Rajawali’s compensation to villagers in Kampung Domande, Merauke, has still not been resolved. The villagers, who are the customary landowners, have blocked access to around 10,000 hectares of the land which the company wants to use to plant sugar cane.

When Tabloid Jubi met Efendi Kanan, the head of the forestry and plantation department of Merauke Regency, in his office on Thursday (30/5), he confirmed the blockade was taking place. “There is a blockade, and an accompanying letter has been sent to the Regency Leader, Romanus Mbaraka. I’ve just received a copy of the letter and now I’ve called the company to request further discussions. However, so far only company staff have responded. We were hoping the executives would come”, he said.

If company leaders would join the process, Efendi continued, there could be further discussion about how to approach a solution. “I also have to communicate directly with my superiors. But I hope that in the next couple of days we can arrange a meeting and then go to the village to discuss with the people”.

If representatives from the regency government and the company went to Kampung Domande, Efendi explained, they would bring a final decision. “I don’t know what sort of compensation has been given, but maybe it relates to the company’s recent logging activities. I doubt it has to do with the land issue itself. Because that issue has definitely been discussed between the company and the local people”, he said.

According to Gubernatorial regulations, Efendi explained, the amount of the people’s timber that the company has logged must be counted up and paid for by the company. The problem now is whether that has happened or not. “As far as I know, the company is currently logging the trees on the land. But it is still not clear and certain whether the trees felled have been counted and paid for”.

Meanwhile, when tabloidjubi.com met Merauke District Legislative Council member Hengky Ndiken on Friday (30/5), he said that he had urged the company clearing the villagers land to make the local people’s security their first priority, as those people hold the customary land rights “I feel that since the company has already taken over the people’s land, it is their clear duty and responsibility to think about how to attend to their needs”, he said.

Aside from this, Ndiken continued, the people as customary landowners have to be directly involved, both in the office and in the field. They can’t just make all sorts of enticing promises, but then ignore the people once the operations start. “Despite all the local people’s limitations and lack of skills, the company must provide training and other activities,” Hengky said.

Furthermore, Ndiken states, if they were given opportunities and space to become involved, it is sure that the people would not get carried away with too many protest actions. In that way the investment could continue without encountering obstacles. “I am optimistic that if they are involved, the enterprise should proceed well,” he said.

He also hopes that attention is paid to village development. Of course when a company arrives and presents its plans to the people, they always also present a work program to ensure the people’s security. But this program must be actually put in  place once the company starts work in the field.

Ndiken also requests the Merauke Regency Government to remain vigilant towards company operations, including regarding the people’s rights. “As a representative of the people, I will be involved in monitoring the situation regarding people’s rights. They are the owners of this country, and we need to pay attention to them”, he requested.

—

Meeting with Company, Local Communities Received Compensation of IDR 1 Billion

In the beginning of April 2013, in the Company’s Training Centre of Bio Inti Agrindo (BIA), another meeting was held again with the local Customary Councils of Mbian and Mandobo tribes. The Head of Ulilin District attended the meeting as well as local Police Chief of Ulilin and Muting Districts, Commander of local military station in Asiki, and representatives of Marind Mbian Customary Agency.

The agenda was to discuss a claim of Mandobo people to BIA to pay a penalty of IDR 70 billion (USD 7.7 millions) for appropriation of their traditional forests and land by the company.  The negotiation was hardly moved, spent time of almost twelve hours overnight, from 18:00 afternoon until 05:00 early morning.  Finally, an agreement took place that company will pay of in advance of IDR 1 billions (USD 111,111) for three clans: IDR 100 millions (USD 11,111) for Basik-basik clan; a similar amount for Mahuze clan; and IDR 300 millions (USD 33,333( for Mandobo clans.

The rest will be paid later as a compensation for all of trees in the forests cut down by the company.

from Silvester Y. Ndiken, Villager of Muting, District of Muting, Merauke

Source: Sorak http://blog.insist.or.id/sorak/en/archives/2551

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Chronology of the arrest of seven activists involved in the Aimas, Sorong incident

May 31, 2013
Human Rights Report by GKI Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) DeskIntroduction

In accordance with an agreement reached between the following mass organisations, the KNPB (National Committee for West Papua), the West Papua National Authority, the Students Executive Board of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of Cenderawasih University (BEM-FISIP Uncen), various NGOs  and the church, they would hold a demonstration on 13 May 2013 calling on the Regional Military Commander, the Chief of Police and the Governor of Papua to accept responsibility for  the acts of violence committed on 1 May 2013.  These acts of violence resulted in three deaths in Aimas, Sorong and the arrest of dozens of Papuans who were detained in prisons in Biak, Timika and a number of other places in Papua  where events had been held to commemorate the annexation of Papua by the Republic of Indonesia.

On 13 May, at 6.00 am, Uncen students closed the gate into their campus and people started making speeches. The co-ordinator of the event was  the Chairman of BEM-FISIP Uncen (Yason) who had since early morning been delivering speeeches in front of the campus.  The closing of the gate resulted in the Deputy Rector  of Uncen, Mr Homer, as well as other Uncen lecturers arriving to negotiate about re-opening the gate.   In response, the students said that the day was being devoted  to holding peaceful demonstrations in solidarity with people in civil society who had been shot dead by members of the TNI – Indonesian Army – and Polri, the Police Force in Sorong.

While the negotiations were under way, at 8.00am. the police led by the chief of the local area (Abepura), Kiki Kurnia pushed their way into the area in order to take control of the situation by intimidating the mass of people who had already gathered since early morning.  The commander of the police operation said that this was not permissible and they were told to disperse while remaining at the site.  Negotiations then took place with the chief of police of Jayapura City, Alfred Papare, with those who were responsible for continuing the peaceful demonstration, among others Viktor Yeimo (KNPB), Yason (BEM Uncen), Bovit (Garde-P) and Alfares Kapisa (WNPA)  As a result of the negotiations, twenty students representing the mass of people who had gathered went to the MRP (Papuan People’s Assembly) riding in a truck. As more and more people wanted to accompany the group, Victor Yeimo asked for an additional truck.

While negotiations were still proceeding and people were still making speeches, the chief of police ground operations started to provoke the crowd of people, using the megaphone to stir the emotions of the demonstrators, but these provocations only caused the demonstrators to smile.  Before the demonstrators started to get onto the trucks, those responsible for the action called on all the demonstrators to abide by the guidelines ‘SAFEGUARD SECURITY AND PEACE’.  Then the crowds were led to the two trucks and a pick-up. Things began to get tense when the Chief of Operations KIKI KURNIA prevented the demonstrators from using motorbikes.  The chief of operations ordered the police along the road to stop all those who were travelling in convoy by motorbikes to the MRP.   When they reached the Perunas Junction, the police began to attack those who were on motorbikes which led to chaos because the police began to attack the riders who abandoned their motorbikes leaving the bikes unattended.  The police then began to destroy the motorbikes which infuriated the owners of the vehicles.  There were furious arguments and objects began to be thrown at the police.  It is not clear who was responsible for doing that.

The police then began to act brutally and started beating those who were on board the trucks.  The chief of the operation then ordered Victor Yeimo to be arrested; he was beaten in the face which caused his face to start bleeding. Victor was pushed onto a Barracuda (armoured assault vehicle) and a short while later, he taken from the Barracuda and put onto a police van for detainees.

After Yeimo had been beaten and arrested, Marthen Manggaprouw was also arrested and beaten. and pushed onto a police detention truck.  The police then started beating two other students while pushing them onto the trucks.

Following the arrests, four of the detainees were taken to Polresta Jayapura and as soon as they arrived there, they were interrogated while being driven to  police headquarters. which they reached at 12 noon. Soon afterwards, another three students were arrested and beaten by the police and taken to police headquarters. So, altogether seven activists were arrested and beaten.

They are:

  • Yongky Ulimpa, 23 years old, studying at FISIP Uncen. He was beaten on the head with rattan causing swellings in his head.
  • Ely Kobak, 17 years old, a student. He was beaten in the face and rattan was tied round his neck  making it difficult for him to eat or drink.or to stand up straight.
  • Marthen Manggaprouw, 33 years old, a WPNA activist, who was repeatedly struck in the face and kicked from behind as well as in his private parts. He is still suffering  from pain in his penis.
  • Victor Yeimo, 33 years old,  who was struck in the face causing his face to start bleeding; he is  still in a lot of pain.
  • Markus Giban, 19 years old, a student. He was beaten in the face and lips  causing bruises and he has become doubled up with pain.
  • Nius Matuan, 22 years old, who was struck with an M16 rifle butt which damaged his left eyebrow, making him feel dizzy.
  • Wily Kombo, 22 years old, a student, who was kicked by a member of the Dalmas police unit.causing him to suffer serious bruising in his ribcage.

The seven activists, after having been beaten, were placed under detention. Victor Yeimo and Marthen Manggaprouw were interrogated by police officers while the other five were interrogated at Polresta.  Manggaprouw, who is secretary-general of WPNA, was told he was being interrogated for crimes against Article 106 (treason) and also for incitement. Victor Yeimo, after being interrogated was immediately taken away by police officers to the attorney-general’s office, in connection with an old case in 2011, and was taken to the Abepura Prison, to undergo investigation.

After the interrogations, six of the activists were allowed to go home just before  midnight, because there was no evidence that they had committed treason or incitement. Meanwhile, four activists – Marthen Manggaprouw, Yongky Ulimpa, Willy Kombo and Nius  Matuan were taken to a local military command post  KOREM 751 in Padang Bulan at 1.15 am. The other two were sent home. after having been given a check-up, because of the injuries they suffered.

Several of the activists are still suffering from the effects of the beatings they sustained.

According to Bintang Papua on 16 May, the police chief, Alfred Papare has declared that all the organisations involved – KNPB, Garda-P and others) will not be allowed to organise any more peaceful demonstrations.
[Translated by TAPOL, edited by WPM]

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