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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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).

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.

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.

Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM) is asking Papuan rebel leader Egianus Kogoya to immediately release Susi Air pilot Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens, who is being held captive by the armed group.

Benjamin Plummer – Foreign Minister Winston Peters has appealed for the immediate release of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens nearly a year after his capture in Papua, Indonesia.

The Susi Air pilot was taken hostage by West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB) fighters on February 7 last year, shortly after landing on a remote Paro airstrip in Nduga, Highland Papua.

Niniek Karmini, Jakarta – Separatist rebels asked for the immediate release Saturday of the New Zealand pilot who's been held hostage for almost a year in Indonesia's restive Papua region.

Reno Reza Mahendra, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization or TPNPB-OPM Spokesperson Sebby Sambom revealed the reason why the OPM Armed Criminal Group has yet to release the Susi Air Pilot Philips Martens it took hostage since March 2023.

Jayapura, Jubi – Rev. Benny Giay aprreciated the enthusiasm of Papuan artists through the art exhibition titled 'Bholuh' (From the Earth) organized by Udeido Collective in collaboration with Papuans Voices and Alyakha Art Center at Sophie Building, Jayapura City on Wednesday (31/1/2024).

Sevianto Pakiding, Nduga, Papua – The West Papua Liberation Army, a faction of the Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), has confirmed plans to release Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens.

Jayapura, Jubi – As of now, there has been no agreement reached for the release of Phillip Mark Mehrtens, the Susi Air pilot from New Zealand who has been held captive by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) since early last year, spokesperson for the Cartenz Peace Operation Adj. Sr. Comr. Bayu Suseno said on Wednesday (31/1/2024).

Jayapura, Jubi – The Bishop of Jayapura, Mgr. Yanuarius Theofilus Matopai You, has expressed concerns over the deployment of Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police personnel from outside Papua to the region, stating that it instills fear and discomfort among the local residents.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Police and the XVII/Cenderawasih Regional Military Command (Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih) have not yet endorsed civil aviation activities to Bilogai Airport in Sugapa, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province. Civil flights to Intan Jaya have been suspended since the escalation of armed conflict in the region on January 19, 2024.

Pizaro Gozali Idrus, Jakarta – Separatist rebels in Indonesia's restive Papua region on Wednesday said they would like to release a New Zealand pilot taken hostage nearly a year ago, but officials in Jakarta and Wellington were delaying negotiations for his freedom.

Basten Gokkon, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has invited Turkish investors to help develop an offshore tuna farm in the country's eastern Papua region, which it aims to turn into a major tuna export hub.

Jayapura, Jubi – Jayapura Bishop Yanuarius Theofilus Matopai You emphasizes that violence and conflict in Papua can only be resolved through peaceful dialogue. This sentiment was expressed during a public discussion organized by the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Secretariat of the Franciscans in Papua, held in Jayapura City on Monday (29/1/2024).

Timika, Jubi – On Saturday (27/1/2024), the Acting Regent of Intan Jaya, Apolos Bagau, facilitated a meeting between the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) of Intan Jaya Regency and the Intan Jaya people, as well as religious figures in Sugapa, the capital of Intan Jaya.

Jayapura, Jubi – Frits Ramandey, the Head of the Papua Office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM Papua), emphasized that mining activities in the Wabu Block in Intan Jaya should obtain permission from the indigenous landowners.

Human rights observers have expressed concerns regarding a series of armed clashes in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, from 19 to 24 January 2024, which resulted in two Papuan men killed and one Papuan woman injured by joint security forces.

Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – The West Papua Liberation Army of the Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) stated it received an official report from TPNPB troops of VIII Intan Jaya Defense Regional Command, Papua, saying that Commander Undius Kogeya claimed TPNPB troops of Intan Jaya VIII Defense Regional Command attacked the Indonesian military (TNI) and police posts in Titigi.

Jayapura, Jubi – Jhon Magal, the Director of the Indigenous People's Institution of the Amungme Tribe (LEMASA), has requested President Joko Widodo to conduct a reevaluation of the second Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL) concerning underground mining and tailings of PT Freeport Indonesia.

Theressia Silalahi, Jakarta – Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the running mate for presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, promised the traditional leaders in Papua that future development would be more inclusive and not centered around Java.

Jayapura – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) has explicitly stated that it rejects the agenda of the Indonesian rulers in the territory of West Papua. Specifically the festival of democracy, namely the legislative and presidential elections, which will be held next month on February 14.

Jayapura, Jubi – In an armed confrontation with combined Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police forces on Sunday (21/1/2024) and Tuesday (23/1/2024), five members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in the Intan Jaya region were reported dead.

The individuals identified are Oni Kobagau, Jaringan Belau, Agustia, Ones, and Melkias Maisani.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Head of Cartenz Peace Operation, Sr. Comr. Faizal Ramadhani, stated that on Sunday (1/21/2024), the joint military/police forces shot three suspected members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province.

Jayapura, Jubi – In response to the armed clash between the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, Frits Ramandey, the Head of the Papua Representative Office of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM Papua), stated that Yusak Sondegau (40), who lost his life during the inciden

Jayapura, Jubi – The second environmental impact analysis (AMDAL) process by PT Freeport Indonesia is currently in progress, with the company expressing optimism that everything will proceed as planned.

Jayapura, Jubi – Menuel John Magal, the Director of the Amungme Indigenous Peoples Community Institution (LEMASA), has stated that in June 2023, they wrote a letter to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the Directorate General of Forestry and Environmental Planning, and the Directorate of Prevention of Environmental Impact from Business and Activities in Jakarta.

A meeting held today (22nd January 2024) at the European Parliament called for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to urgently be allowed to investigate the human rights situation in occupied West Papua.

Jayapura, Jubi – A pioneer ship has successfully docked in Umar Bay and Yaur Village, Nabire Regency, Central Papua a few days ago. John NR Gobai, a member of the Papua Legislative Council (DPRP) representing the Meepago customary region, revealed that the pioneer ship docked in Umar Bay's Yaur on January 12, 2024.

Jayapura, Jubi – Frits Ramandey, the Head of the Representative Office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM Papua), stated that in 2024, the focus of their efforts will be on monitoring several armed conflict areas in Papua.

Jakarta – Presidential candidate Anies Baswedan has promised to prioritize education in Southwest Papua by rolling out a scholarship program for children.

During his campaign in Sorong, the provincial capital, Anies said he had met a child who was unable to attend school because of the high cost of education.

Wamena, Jubi – In a strategic move to counter the escalating prices of essential commodities in Wamena, the provincial capital of Jayawijaya Regency in Mountainous Papua Province, the Provincial Government is set to embark on the construction of a dedicated logistics warehouse for staple goods.

Ardi Bayage, Jayapura – The public prosecutor (JPU) has demanded a two year prison sentence for West Papua National Committee (KNPB) General Chairperson Agus Kossey and an eight month sentence for Numbay regency KNPB Secretary Benny Murib less time already served in jail.

Manokwari, Jubi – The West Papua Police Chief Insp. Gen. Jhony Edizon Isir has ensured security in the Maybrat region of Southwest Papua, despite the local Regional Election Commission's (KPU) plan to relocate 31 polling stations (TPS) in five districts around Aifat Raya to the Maybrat Regency's capital, Kumurkek.

Jayapura, Jubi – The main focus of the Papua Regional Education, Library, and Archives Agency (DPPAD) in 2024 will be addressing Human Development Index, illiteracy eradication, school accreditation, and the construction of permanent school buildings.

Nabire, Jubi – Yan C Warinussy, the Executive Director of the Institute for Research, Study, and Development of Legal Aid (LP3BH) in Manokwari, has asserted that the acquittal of Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti in the defamation case involving Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has exposed the veil over military operations that have been ongoing in Papua for over 50 years.