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

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.

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.

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).

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).

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.

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).

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 – 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.