Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Greenpeace Indonesia and Pusaka Bentala Rakyat Foundation have voiced their concerns over President Prabowo Subianto's push to drive palm oil, sugarcane, and cassava plantations in Papua. They believed the initiative could bring ecological disasters to the region.
Prabowo mentioned during his meeting with Papua leaders and the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development in Papua that his plan aims for energy and food self-sufficiency.
"In pursuit of food and energy self-sufficiency ambitions, Prabowo is designing an ecological disaster for Papua," said Asep Komarudin, Greenpeace Indonesia's Forest Campaigner, in a written statement received by Tempo on December 17, 2025.
The head of state's ambition could mean land clearing of millions of natural forest land while disregarding the indigenous Papuan communities as the landowners.
Prabowo, Asep said, is not learning from the ecological disasters in Sumatra, which were caused by massive deforestation by palm oil and forestry extractive businesses, which have led to the deaths of 1,030 people. The Sumatra disaster has also caused an economic loss of Rp68.8 trillion and the destruction of property and socio-economic infrastructure.
Asep said the "Papua must be cultivated" remark reflects a top-down approach that disregards the right to self-determination over living spaces. Papua is once again positioned as an object of national policy, disregarding the rights of indigenous communities.
"The statement contains a colonial logic: the most powerful state determines and alters the social life of the people and the natural environment in Papua, as if Papua is an empty space waiting to be developed by state projects," he said.
Existing palm oil plantations in Papua
Meanwhile, Pusaka Bentala Rakyat Foundation identified 94 palm oil plantation companies in Papua covering 1,332,032 hectares. Tigor Hutapea, Advocacy Staff at Pusaka Bentala Rakyat Foundation, stated that the palm oil plantations are controlled and owned by a handful of corporations close to high-ranking state officials.
In Merauke, Tigor stated that the food and energy self-sufficiency project has been ongoing for almost two years without the consent of the indigenous communities and adequate business feasibility permits. He mentioned that within a short period, more than 22,680 hectares of natural forests have disappeared. Indigenous communities, human rights activists, and environmental activists work in an environment of insecurity.
"The project involves thousands of military personnel, and there are verbal, physical, and psychological pressures and threats," said Tigor.
Tigor mentioned that the flooding in areas around the concessions in Jagebob, Tanah Miring, Muting, and Eligobel Districts, which submerged farmland and residential settlements, is suspected to be caused by palm oil plantations upstream.
"In this forest conversion scheme, the most benefited parties are large plantation corporations and investors, political and economic elites who enjoy permit rent. On the other hand, indigenous Papuans are positioned as obstacles to development. The consent process often neglects the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC)," said Tigor.