Indonesia, West Papua – The indigenous Marind Anim people of South Papua, alongside hundreds of indigenous activists from across Indonesia, have issued a powerful rejection of the National Strategic Projects (PSN) that threaten their land, culture, and livelihoods.
From 11 to 14 March 2025, more than 250 participants gathered in Merauke for the 'Merauke Solidarity' forum, where they condemned the PSN programme as a corporate-driven initiative that disregards indigenous rights and devastates the environment. Their declaration called for the immediate cessation of PSN projects, which they argue have led to land grabbing, ecological destruction, and systematic human rights violations.
The forum culminated in a tense meeting with representatives of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), the South Papua Provincial Government, and the Ministry of Human Rights. Indigenous leaders and activists openly confronted officials, demanding the revocation of PSN, which has fuelled violence and conflicts among indigenous communities. A striking moment came when an indigenous woman, addressing government representatives, exclaimed, 'Enough! Enough is enough! We have suffered too much!' This sentiment reflected the deep frustration of indigenous Marind Anim communities who have seen their lands taken for projects that primarily benefit large corporations.
The impact of PSN on indigenous communities in Merauke has been particularly severe. Mr Vincen Kwipalo, a leader of the Yei tribe in Jagebob District, recounted his harrowing experience of intimidation and violence after refusing to surrender his customary forest to a sugar cane plantation company. He described threats from machete-wielding men, believed to be from clans that had accepted compensation to hand over their land. Like many others, his family has resisted the disproportionally low compensation offered – IDR 300,000 per hectare – insisting that their forests cannot be sold, as they are essential for their livelihoods and cultural identity.
Similar testimonies emerged from other affected regions. Mr Yakobus Mahuze from Senayu Village, Tanah Miring District, shared how his community was pressured into releasing 5,000 hectares of customary forest. The promised economic benefits never materialized, and the loss of forest cover led to water contamination, forcing families to buy drinking water. Meanwhile, large-scale land clearings have driven away wildlife, disrupted local agriculture, and undermined traditional ways of life in the Merauke Regency.
The Vice-Minister for Human Rights, Mr Mugiyanto Sipin, said that all aspirations would be conveyed to President Prabowo. Mugiyanto elaborated he will share concerns about growing militarisation with the Indonesian National Army (TNI) and the Police. However, his ministry cannot guarantee that the militarisation will be stopped. 'Yes, I cannot guarantee the stop of militarisation yet. I will convey to the Minister of Human Rights and to the president what the community has conveyed,' Mugiyanto told the media.
Mr Agustinus Guritno, representing the Papua Selatan Provincial Government, made controversial statements, saying that the government also has human rights, emphasizing the universal nature and the equality of rights for all, including state actors. In response, Mr Emanuel Gobay, Director of LBH Papua, strongly rejected this claim, asserting that the government does not possess human rights but must protect them. Gobay warned that a lack of understanding of human rights among state officials could lead to systematic human rights violations in West Papua.
The scale of internal displacement caused by PSN is alarming. Data from the Agrarian Reform Consortium (KPA) indicates that between 2020 and 2024, Indonesia-wide PSN projects sparked 154 land conflicts, affecting one million hectares and displacing over 103,000 families. Komnas HAM, represented by chairperson Mrs Atnike Sigiro, received at least 114 formal complaints of human rights abuses linked to these projects, ranging from forced evictions to violent crackdowns on protests. Despite these concerns, the Prabowo administration has expanded PSN initiatives, targeting three million hectares for new rice fields and sugar cane plantations in the Papua Selatan Province alone (see photo below, source: Jubi).
Indigenous leaders and activists warn that unless these projects are halted, social and ecological disasters will continue to escalate. Researchers have compared the situation to a 'time bomb,' predicting that land conflicts, environmental destruction, and social unrest will intensify. The government's strategy of prioritizing corporate interests over indigenous rights, they argue, will only deepen existing grievances and widen the gap between Jakarta and local communities.
The 'Merauke Solidarity' declaration marks a crucial moment in the resistance against PSN. Indigenous representatives pledged to strengthen their collective struggle, stating that the fight for land is a fight for survival. The solidarity stressed it will continue pressuring the government to recognize indigenous land rights, restore damaged ecosystems, and halt further expansion of exploitative projects. As tensions rise, the resilience of the Marind Anim and other affected indigenous groups in Indonesia underscores a broader struggle for justice, environmental protection, and preserving indigenous cultures.