Some of the conflicts in Papua stem from illegal operations by companies that have failed to involve the customary land rights owners. A prominent example is the operation of PT Zoomlion in Kapiraya District, Central Papua Province. This issue urgently requires intervention from the Central Papua Provincial Government.
On 18 July 2024, the dispute over gold panning land in Kapiraya District escalated tensions between the Mee and Kamoro tribes. This dispute threatens the peaceful coexistence that has long been maintained between the two tribes.
Historically, the Me and Kamoro tribes have lived in harmony, engaging in activities such as hunting, cooking, and bartering together. However, tensions have risen recently when residents of Wakiya Village, armed with weapons, threatened to sweep away the Me tribe residents in Mogodagi Village. This threat arose due to a scramble for control over the gold mining land in the region.
The Dogiyai Regency House of Representatives has taken steps concerning the illegal gold mining activities carried out by PT Zoomlion Indonesia Heavy Industry in Mogodagi Village, Kapiraya District, Deiyai Regency.
Since January 2023, PT. Zoomlion has been conducting manual gold mining operations. In May 2024, they expanded their activities by bringing in two excavators and two Hilux vehicles without obtaining permission from the local community. This operation has resulted in severe environmental damage and a blatant disregard for the rights of the indigenous peoples who hold customary rights to the land.
In response to the increasingly volatile situation, the Dogiyai Regency House of Representatives conducted field monitoring (which was announced in May 2024) to Mogodagi Village. Their findings were compiled into official recommendations submitted to the Central Papua Provincial Government, specifically to the Acting Governor, and other relevant parties. The Dogiyai representatives urged that immediate and concrete steps be taken to resolve the situation before lives are lost.
The presence of this illegal gold mine has intensified tensions within the local community, particularly between the Kamoro and Kei communities, who have threatened violence against the Me community in Mogodagi Village. Following the DPR's visit, the situation worsened with the arrival of additional heavy equipment to support the illegal mining activities and the blockade of the Kapiraya airport runway by the Kamoro and Kei people, along with the company. The situation is extremely tense, putting the Me community under serious threat.
It is crucial that the Kamoro and Me tribes engage in dialogue to determine the boundaries of their respective customary lands. This mediation meeting should be facilitated by the Central Papua Provincial Government, given that this region lies at the intersection of three districts: Deiyai, Mimika, and Dogiyai. The community is urging the Acting Governor of Central Papua to promptly take concrete steps based on the recommendations of the Dogiyai Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD), which reflect the people's aspirations. This action is vital to prevent casualties and bloodshed. We seek a solution that promptly delineates territorial boundaries and issues a Governor's Regulation (Pergub) and a Special Regional Regulation (Perdasus) on people's mining.
Immediate actions that need to be taken include shutting down the illegal gold mining operations carried out by PT. Zoomlion Indonesia Heavy Industry in Mogodagi Village, conducting a transparent investigation into how PT. Zoomlion began its operations without the consent of customary rights owners, restoring the rights of indigenous peoples, protecting the environment by implementing measures to repair the damage caused, and ensuring transparency and accountability in all mining operations permits and other economic activities.
This call must be urgently addressed by the relevant parties before the situation deteriorates further and casualties occur. Let us work together to maintain the peace and well-being of the people of Central Papua.