Melynda Dwi Puspita, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) burned several Indonesian flags in Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Papua, on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom said the flags were taken down from poles and also seized directly from Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Indonesian National Police (Polri) personnel who were seen installing them in various locations throughout the regency.
"We burned them as a clear symbol of rejecting Indonesian colonialism in Papua," Sebby stated in a text message on Friday, August 8.
Despite the symbolic act, Sebby claimed that the group did not resort to violence against TNI-Polri officers who were putting up flags in strategic areas or along roads. The TPNPB only disarmed personnel, especially those carrying firearms or ammunition.
"We ask them to leave Papua immediately and remind them that hoisting the Indonesian flag here is prohibited," Sebby said.
Colonel Candara Kurniawan, Head of Information for the XVII/Cenderawasih Regional Military Command, said the military has not yet received any report regarding the flag seizures in Pegunungan Bintang.
"We are still verifying the information," he said.
Meanwhile, Chief of Public Relations for the Papua Regional Police, Grand Commissioner Cahyo Sukarnito, has not responded to Tempo's inquiry sent via WhatsApp.
Earlier, the TPNPB had instructed its 36 regional military commands across Papua to prohibit flag-raising ceremonies marking Indonesia's Independence Day on August 17.
Sebby asserted that indigenous Papuans and residents of Papua are only allowed to raise the Morning Star flag and hold commemorative events on December 1. "We want Papuans to be educated that Papua is not part of Indonesia," he said in a WhatsApp message sent on Saturday, August 2.
He added that the TPNPB will not engage in armed conflict or launch attacks against civilians raising the Indonesian flag. The group will only dissolve the ceremony, provided there is no TNI-Polri involvement in the area.
"Therefore, we urge the TNI-Polri not to disguise themselves in order to carry out flag-raising activities in Papua," Sebby said.
He also warned that the TPNPB has designated several conflict zones in Papua where non-Papuan civilians and security forces are barred from entering. These areas include Yahukimo, Pegunungan Bintang, Nduga, Puncak Jaya, Intan Jaya, Maybrat, Dogiyai, Paniai, and Deiyai.
"People from outside Papua and the TNI-Polri are not allowed to enter these areas, and the hoisting of the Indonesian flag is also prohibited," Sebby said.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2037370/papuas-tpnpb-opm-burns-indonesian-flags-seized-from-security-force