Jacobus E. Lato – Indonesian Navy suspended the planned construction of a patrol dock close to a Church in the restive, Christian-majority Papua region following a protest joined by hundreds of Papuans.

The decision came after Papuans, including community leaders, tribal people, and civil society members, staged a peaceful rally in front of the local legislature building in Jayapura, the largest city in Papua, on May 18.

The protesters demanded an immediate halt to the construction of the naval dock at Kayu Pulo in Jayapura.

The protest was organized by the Indonesian Christian Church (GKI), a coalition of Protestant Churches in Papua, in collaboration with youth groups and civil society coalitions. Several local legislators have also lent their support to the protesters.

Major General (Mar) Sugianto of the Jayapura Regional Naval Command reportedly met with the protesters and Church leaders, promising to pay heed to their call.

The military officer has issued a written statement, apologizing for confusion and grievances stemming from inadequate public consultations over the naval dock plan.

"All suggestions and inputs from the church will be implemented by not continuing the development of the port facility located behind the church at this time," Sugianto, who goes by a single name, said.

The military statement was greeted with relief and cautious celebration by Church leaders and activists.

Protestant pastor Frans Mambrasar said the protest became essential as the naval plan had been made unilaterally without consultation with the church, local customary owners, or affected communities.

He said the Church authorities are determined to protect the church's service area and the community's land rights.

"The policy to build a military facility directly intersects with the living spaces of the community and the church's area of ministry, which must be seriously considered," he said.

Herlin Beatrix Monim, the first deputy of the local legislature, the Papua Province House of Representatives, said he received the document from the military suspending the plan, and promised to follow up through institutional mechanisms.

"This is not merely a matter of physical construction; it is about respect for institutional rights, ministry spaces, history, and the peace of the faithful," she said. "Security approaches must not sacrifice or ignore humanitarian, social, cultural, and customary considerations."

The naval dock plan flared up tension in the area with critics alleging it threatens coastal ecosystems, fisheries and other local livelihoods, and would encroach on areas long used for worship, faith education, and communal life.

The regional office of the National Commission of Human Rights also backed the protesters.

"We will continue advocacy and legal oversight to ensure the suspension is implemented, and we request guarantees that future decisions involve affected communities," Pastor Frans added.

Papua declared independence after the end of the Dutch colonial rule in 1962. However, Indonesia annexed Papua, terming it an integral part of the archipelago, one year later.

A referendum favoring Indonesian rule is largely considered a sham.

Source: https://www.ucanews.com/news/protest-halts-indonesian-navys-proposed-patrol-dock-in-papua/11339