Jayapura, Jubi – Sr. Comr. Faizal Ramadhani, the Head of Cartenz Peace Operation, has revealed that the negotiation process for the release of Susi Air pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens, who has been held captive by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) since February 7, 2023, has been hindered by customary issues, as well as interference of other parties.

Antara, Jakarta – Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said that attempts to free the Susi Air pilot who was being held hostage by the Free Papua Organization (OPM) is a sensitive issue, and that foreign involvement must be reconsidered.

Jakarta – TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto formed the Habema Operations Command (Koops) to synergize operational patterns of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri) in handling conflicts in several areas in Papua.

Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has stated that two teenagers detained by the Indonesian Military(TNI) and Police in Yahukimo Regency on February 22, 2024, are not members of the TPNPB. They declared that the two teenagers, MH (15) and BGE (15), are ordinary civilians who were apprehended while coincidentally crossing Kali Brasa.

Merauke, Jubi – Reports indicate that 68 residents in Asmat Regency, South Papua Province, were poisoned after consuming hundreds of bottles of adulterated alcoholic beverages on Friday (23/2/2024). Four people have died, seven are being treated at the Agats Regional General Hospital, and 57 others are undergoing outpatient treatment.

Merauke, Jubi – Sukardi Gau, the Head of the Papua Provincial Language Center has expressed concern over the trend among young speakers shifting to using Indonesian or Papua Malay, which poses a threat to the existence of indigenous languages in Papua towards the brink of extinction.

Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Mathius Fakhiri stated that several requests from Susi Air pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens, a New Zealand national who has been held captive by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) since February 7, 2023, have been fulfilled and delivered. These requests included asthma medication, aromatherapy candles, and disinfectants.

Sevianto Pakiding, Mimika – New Zealand Police Attache, Paul Laurence Borell, visited Mimika Regency in Central Papua, to oversee the progress of the ongoing efforts to secure the release of Susi Air pilot, Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Ndugama Derakma Command of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has confirmed the death of one of its members in a shooting between TPNPB and security forces at Kali Brasa, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Mountainous Papua Province, last Thursday (22/2/2024).

Hamish McDonald – After what appears to have been a decisive win by Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto in Indonesia's presidential election, many observers have been speculating about what kind of leader will emerge when he takes over from incumbent Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in October.

Waqas Arain – Imagine you're 15 again, the world is your playground, and your biggest worry is what game to play next. Now, imagine that abruptly ending as you find yourself in handcuffs, accused of being part of a violent incident far beyond the innocent games of childhood.

Aisyah Amira Wakang, Jakarta – The spokesperson of The National Liberation Army of West Papua – Free Papua Movement (TPNPB – OPM) Sebby Sambom claimed that the two people apprehended by joint state apparatus on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, are civilians. Both of them are 15-year-old teenagers, MH and BGE.

An Australian-based West Papua advocacy group has condemned the arrest and "humiliation" of two teenagers by Indonesian security forces last week.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua) has urged the judge of the Manado State Administrative High Court to overturn the decision of the Jayapura State Administrative Court, which dismissed the lawsuit of the Awyu Tribe community.

Sentani, Jubi – Sentani is not only renowned for the beauty of its lakes but also for the Khombouw wood skin painting art from Asei Besar Village in East Sentani. These paintings are available at the Fansoway Art Gallery on KhalKote Street, East Sentani District, Jayapura Regency.

Antara, Jakarta – Papua Police Chief Ins. Gen. Mathius Fakhiri stated the investigators were examining the two students arrested during the gunfire between the authorities and the armed criminal group (KKB). The students were suspected of being the perpetrators of the shooting of the Wings Air plane at Nop Goliat Dekai Airport.

Bagus Pribadi and Savero Aristia Wienanto, Jakarta – Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles emphasized that his country does not support the Free Papua Movement. Marles made the statement during a meeting with the Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto on Friday, February 23, 2024.

Sevianto Pakiding, Papua Pegunungan – A joint operation conducted by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police shot dead a member of an armed criminal group in the Kali Brasa area, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan, on Thursday.

Jayapura, Jubi – Mama (mother) Anace Bongoibo, now in her elderly years, continues her dedication to cleaning up the waste in the Emereuw River Basin with unwavering patience.

Jayapura, Jubi – Research by four civil society institutions indicates that efforts to obscure information about Papua have spread to the social media platform TikTok.

By Irma Rahim

Executive Summary

Antara, Jakarta – Petronas Carigali North Madura II Ltd, a unit of Malaysia's Petronas, has won the bidding for the exploration and production rights of oil and gas in the Bobara Block located in West Papua.

Nugie Tangkepayung, Jayapura – Indonesian authorities have arrested a member of a separatist movement in Papua wanted for the alleged murder of civilians, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Alenus Tabuni, also known as Kobuter, was arrested on Sunday by a joint police-military security operation in Papua known as the Cartenz Task Force.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force has tightened security at airports across nine operational areas, including Yahukimo, Mimika, Intan Jaya, Dogiyai, Puncak, Nduga, Minika, Jayawijaya, and Jayapura districts, following incidents where the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) shot at two civilian aircraft on Friday (16/2/2024) and Saturday (17/2/2024).

Jayapura, Jubi – The security situation in Kenyam, the capital of Nduga Regency in Mountainous Papua Province, has returned to a state of calm following conflicts between resident groups on Thursday (15/2/2024).

Jakarta – A Wings Air aircraft came under fire when landing at Nop Goliat Dekai Airport in Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Papua Highlands, at 1.20 p.m. on Saturday, the shooting is alleged to have been carried out by an armed criminal group (KKB).

Jayapura, Jubi – The Puncak Jaya Police are currently handling a case of clashes between supporters of legislative candidates in several districts. As a result of the event, at least 62 individuals have been reported injured and are undergoing medical treatment at the Mulia Regional General Hospital.

A West Papuan pro-independence leader has accused Indonesia of new human rights atrocities this week while the republic has apparently elected a new president with a past record of violations in Timor-Leste and West Papua.

Desty Luthfiani, Jakarta – A total of 1,297 polling stations or TPS in Papua have not yet conducted voting due to the distribution issue of election logistics and the social conflict over the implementation of the noken voting system.

Jordyn Beazley – Rebels in Indonesia's West Papua region have released a video of New Zealand pilot, Phillip Mehrtens, in which he tells his family he loves them and is being treated well by his captors.

Jakarta (Agencies) – The General Elections Commission (KPU) has delayed voting in four districts of Paniai regency, Central Papua, after incidents in which residents burned balloting materials. KPU commissioner Idham Holik announced the delay to the press on Wednesday.

Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Mathius Fakhiri stated that the security disturbances by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in the Mountainous Papua and Central Papua provinces are not related to the 2024 General Election.

Jayapura, Jubi – John Magal, the chairman of the Amungme Community Institution (LEMASA) or Amungme Nagawan, expressed regret over the visit of a team from the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) and the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) failing to meet and observe residents directly affected by tailings from PT Freeport Indonesia's mining activities.

Jayapura, Jubi – Flights to Bilogai Airport in Sugapa, the capital of Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, have resumed following the assessment of the security situation in Intan Jaya as conducive. Previously, flights to Bilogai were suspended due to the escalation of armed conflicts in Intan Jaya since January 19, 2024.

Jayapura, Jubi – The independent election monitoring network, the Alliance for Democracy for Papua (ALDP), is set to monitor the voting process of the 2024 General Election in Papua Province, Mountainous Papua Province, and South Papua Province. This was conveyed by the Coordinator of ALDP, Antoni Ibra Nalaki on Saturday (10/2/2024).

Security forces raided the villages Manggume and Aminggaru, Omukia District, as well as in the villages Yenggernok and Agiyome in the Gome District, following the theft of an automatic firearm by members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) on 1 February 2024.

On 1 February 2024, the Jayapura District Court ruled on the case of West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Chairman, Mr Agus Kosay, and KNPB Numbay Secretary, Mr Beni Murib, finding them guilty of incitement and the persecution of Mr Ones Kobak on 18 August 2023.

On 1 February 2024, four students from Hitadipa were arrested in the Sugapa District on their way back home from Nabire to participate in the upcoming elections on 14 February 2024.

Len Garae – A former Prime Minister (PM), Mr. Joe Natuman whose Government had funded the first arrival of West Papua delegates to unite under the umbrella of the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs, to give breath to the first ever United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) anywhere outside West Papua, has congratulated the Interim President of ULMWP, Mr.

Sebastian Strangio – Separatist rebels in Papua say that they are ready to release a New Zealand pilot, a year to the day after taking him hostage in a remote part of the restive region of eastern Indonesia.

Dandy Koswaraputra, Walesi, Indonesia – Inside a thatched wooden house on a hillside overlooking a valley of fields and forest, Sadiq Asso gathered his clan members to discuss a matter of national importance: Indonesia's upcoming general election.

Antara, Jakarta – The Ambassador of New Zealand to Indonesia Kevin Jeffery Burnet met Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri to discuss the release of the Susi Air pilot who was being held hostage by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM), Philip Mark Mehrtens.

On 7 February 2024, the police intervened to disrupt a thanksgiving service and inauguration of the working structure of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) in Jayapura City, Papua Province.

Nabire, Jubi – The Puncak Ilaga Command of The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has accused the Indonesian Military (TNI) of burning civilian homes and assaulting civilians, resulting in one death and two severe injuries.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Acting Deputy Head of Information for the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command, Lt. Col. Inf Candra Kurniawan, stated that two personnel who got shot on Siep Asso Road, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency on Monday (5/2/2024) were members of the Babinsa (Village Development Facilitator) at 1715-06/Dekai Military District Command.

Nabire, Jubi – Spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) Sebby Sambom has stated that his group is responsible for the attack that occurred on Siep Asso Road, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency on Monday (5/2/2024).

New Zealand has called for the immediate release of pilot Phillip Mehrtens who was taken captive by fighters in Indonesia's troubled Papua province a year ago.

Jayapura, Jubi – The armed group known as the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) reportedly damaged a major road connecting Sugapa District to Hitadipa District in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, on Sunday (4/2/2024).

Eva Corlett and agencies – Rebels in Indonesia's West Papua region have said they will release a New Zealand pilot who was taken hostage a year ago as a bargaining chip for their independence movement.

Reno Reza Mahendra, Jakarta – A spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), Sebby Sambom, denied issues that his side would release New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens on Feb. 7, 2024.