Dian Rahma Fika, Jakarta – Bishop of Timika from the Order of St. Augustine (OSA), Bernardus Bofitwos Baru, has condemned President Prabowo Subianto's desire to expand palm oil cultivation in Papua. Bernardus expressed disbelief in Prabowo's claim that palm oil is intended for the benefit of the people.

He suspects that the government's plan ultimately aims to exploit the environment at the expense of the local community.

"These are all projects for the oligarchy, which in essence destroy the ecology and kill the people themselves," said Bernardus when contacted on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.

According to Bernardus, palm oil has been planted in several areas in Papua. Therefore, Prabowo's desire is not something new. He criticized this plan because the conversion of land for palm oil plantations leads to disputes with indigenous communities.

For example, in the case of the Klamono district, Southwest Maluku Regency, West Papua. "As a result of palm oil, deforestation occurs, followed by floods, and then the community loses their customary rights, hunting grounds, and living spaces," said Bernardus.

Due to a series of negative impacts, he doubts the community can benefit from it. He urges the government to pay more attention to the desires of the people and to campaign for reforestation to preserve the function of the Papua forests as one of the world's lungs.

Heritage Foundation for the People's Land/Realm has identified 94 palm oil plantation companies in Papua covering a total area of 1.3 million hectares. Ironically, a handful of corporations, considered to be close to the ruling elite, control these palm oil plantations.

Large-scale land ownership and deforestation for energy production and business expansion have brought about social and economic problems, including land grabbing, deforestation, and environmental destruction.

Recently, Prabowo Subianto pushed for the cultivation of palm oil in the Papua region for oil production. On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, he conveyed this directive while guiding six governors and 42 regents in the Papua region, along with his cabinet and the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development in Papua, at the State Palace in Jakarta.

Prabowo stated that his government's commitment to energy self-sufficiency is the reason behind the ambition to plant palm oil in Papua. His goal, according to Prabowo, is to reduce dependence on imported oil.

Prabowo claims that Indonesia can save up to Rp250 trillion per year on oil imports by developing alternative sources of oil. In addition to palm oil, he believes that the cultivation of cassava and sugar cane can also be developed.

"We hope that palm oil will be planted in the Papua region to produce fuel from palm oil," said Prabowo on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

– Novalli Panji and Fachri Hamzah contributed to this article

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2074486/timika-bishop-condemns-planned-palm-oil-plantation-in-papu