Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua chapter of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI Papua) has pledged to support a lawsuit filed by the Malind Indigenous community from Merauke Regency, South Papua Province, arguing the legal challenge is crucial to protecting their ancestral forests and customary lands.
WALHI Papua said it stands in full solidarity with the Malind people and is closely monitoring the court proceedings over a Merauke Regent's decree that the organization says threatens the community's survival.
The hearing, which focused on testimony from witnesses presented by the defendants, was held at the Jayapura State Administrative Court (PTUN) on Tuesday.
"The Jayapura State Administrative Court has become the place where the Malind people are seeking justice over the seizure of their forests and customary lands," WALHI Papua said in a statement sent to Jubi on Tuesday evening.
According to the environmental group, the lawsuit represents a legitimate effort by the Malind community to challenge a regional policy that could facilitate land grabbing and accelerate environmental destruction across their customary territory in Merauke.
WALHI Papua also echoed arguments made by the plaintiffs' lawyer, Sekar Banjar Aji, who said the issuance of the regent's decree disregarded the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
The organization argues that the Merauke Regent issued the decree without obtaining the free, prior and informed consent of the Malind people, the customary rights holders over the affected land.
It warned that large-scale land clearing and conversion in Merauke could severely damage rainforest ecosystems, wetlands and swamp water sources that have long sustained the Malind people's livelihoods, culture and social life.
WALHI Papua said regional government policies should prioritize the protection of Indigenous rights and environmental sustainability rather than paving the way for environmentally destructive investment projects.
The organization also cited another lawyer representing the Malind-Anim Indigenous community, Emanuel Gobay, who described the Malind people as "the last ecological stronghold" in Merauke.
Gobay argued that stripping the Malind of their customary land rights would amount to taking away their identity, cultural heritage and the future of generations to come in Papua.
WALHI Papua called on the panel of judges at the Jayapura State Administrative Court to remain independent, uphold environmental justice principles, grant the Indigenous community's claims in full, and annul the Merauke Regent's decree.
The group also urged the Merauke Regency administration to review and revoke permits affecting customary lands and instead focus on recognizing and protecting Indigenous land rights.
It further called on civil society groups, students and young people across Papua to continue monitoring the legal proceedings until the Malind people's rights are fully restored.
The lawsuit was filed by five representatives of the Malind Indigenous community, challenging Merauke Regent Decree No. 100.3.3.2/1105 of 2025.
The decree approved the environmental feasibility of a planned 135-kilometer access road in Ilwayab District, part of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense's national food security project.
The case has been registered with the Jayapura State Administrative Court under case number 9/G/LH/2026/PTUN Jayapura since March 5, 2026.