On 9 July 2026, reports emerged that members of the Moi indigenous community, together with the Malamoi Indigenous Peoples' Organisation (LMA Malamoi), had rejected state claims and planned government programmes affecting customary territories in Sorong Regency, Papua Barat Daya Province.
The concerns relate to land formerly covered by corporate concessions whose licences had been revoked and which has subsequently been placed under state supervision through the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH). Moi customary rights holders fear that the measure could facilitate the reallocation of their ancestral territories for government programmes or investment projects without their participation or consent.
Dispute over former corporate concessions
The dispute concerns, in part, the legal and administrative status of areas formerly covered by corporate concessions. Moi representatives recalled that in 2021 the Sorong Regency Government and other actors had supported efforts to revoke company licences and return the affected territories to customary rights holders. Following the revocation of the licences, however, the disputed areas were placed under government supervision and control through Satgas PKH rather than being returned to the indigenous communities.
According to information displayed on the notice boards, the relevant corporate licences were revoked pursuant to Decision of the Minister of Environment and Forestry No. SK.01/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/1/2022. The areas were subsequently placed under state supervision through Satgas PKH pursuant to Presidential Regulation No. 5 of 2025 on the Regulation of Forest Areas. The government reportedly regards these measures as part of efforts to reorganise forest management and rectify problematic permits. At the time of the source report, Suara Papua was still seeking responses from Satgas PKH and the Sorong Regency Government regarding the Moi community's demands.
Customary assembly and community demands
The position was adopted during a customary assembly and oath-taking ceremony held between 30 June and 1 July 2026 in Saluk Village, Wemak District, Sorong Regency (see photo on top: source: Suara Papua). Customary rights holders, clan chiefs and traditional Moi leaders from the Klabra and Salkma customary territories discussed the potential impact of National Strategic Programmes (PSN), rice-field development, carbon trading, forest concessions and oil-palm plantations, as well as the installation of Satgas PKH notice boards on land previously covered by revoked company concessions.
Participants stated that the notice boards had appeared without prior notification, consultation or public engagement with the customary landowners. The boards reportedly prohibit entry and utilisation of the areas without official permission, including harvesting crops, taking control of land and conducting land transactions. The Moi representatives demanded the removal of the signs, an end to unilateral state claims over their customary territories and the return of former concession areas to the indigenous customary rights holders.
The community stressed that customary land constitutes not merely an economic resource but the foundation of Moi identity, history, livelihoods and ancestral heritage. Representatives expressed concern that the state could reallocate former concession areas to government programmes or investors without participation of the indigenous communities concerned. LMA Malamoi accordingly called upon both the Sorong Regency Government and the central government to recognise and protect Moi customary tenure. The local government should refrain from opening indigenous territories to investment without community consent.
LMA Malamoi also submitted Letter No. 035/LMA-MM/EX/VI-2026 to the President of Indonesia, rejecting National Strategic Programmes planned for Sorong Regency from 2026 onwards, including rice-field development, forest concessions, oil-palm plantations and carbon-trading schemes. According to the letter, the Moi customary law community is recognised under Sorong Regency Local Regulation (Perda) No. 10 of 2017 on the Recognition and Protection of the Moi Customary Law Community. The community cited risks to its cultural and living spaces, biodiversity, water sources and forests, as well as concerns regarding deforestation and climate change.
Human rights analysis
The dispute raises significant concerns regarding the protection of indigenous peoples' customary land and resource rights. Where state measures affect territories traditionally owned, occupied or used by indigenous peoples, international human rights standards require effective participation and meaningful consultation with the communities concerned. Measures determining the legal status, control or future use of customary territories without such participation may interfere with indigenous peoples' rights to culture, property, livelihood and self-determination.
Particularly relevant is the principle of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Articles 19 and 32 require states to consult and cooperate in good faith with indigenous peoples through their representative institutions before adopting measures or approving projects affecting their lands, territories and resources. Article 26 further recognises indigenous peoples' rights to lands, territories and resources traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired, whilst Article 28 provides for redress where such lands have been taken or damaged without their FPIC.
The allegations also engage Article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), particularly where access to ancestral territory and natural resources is integral to the cultural life of an indigenous community. Restrictions on access to customary forests, agricultural areas, water sources or other resources may have consequences extending beyond property interests where those territories constitute the material basis for maintaining indigenous culture, livelihoods and community life.
Detailed case data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-135-2026
Location: Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua, Indonesia (-1.1223204, 131.4883373)
Region: Indonesia > Southwest Papua > Sorong
Total number of victims: hundreds
1. Hundreds, diverse unknown Indigenous Peoples cultural rights, right to food
Period of incident: 01/07/2026-01/07/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Government > Public Official
Issues: business, human rights and FPIC
Sources: Suara Papua