Indonesian Defense Ministry Denies Military Role in Activist's Travel to Jakarta

Indonesia's Ministry of Defense has refuted claims made by the family of Papua activist Yasinta Moiwend, who alleged military involvement in her travel from Merauke to Jakarta. Brigadier General Rico Sirait, head of the Defense Ministry's Information Bureau, stated that the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) does not have the authority to move individuals from their homes, asserting their role is limited to monitoring.

According to a video statement from one of Moiwend's children, who requested anonymity for security reasons, the family lost contact with Yasinta on May 24. The child suspects that an unknown party facilitated Moiwend's departure from her village in Wogekel, Ilwayab District, without the family's knowledge. The family last communicated with her on May 23.

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There was no involvement because we do not have the authority. We only monitor.

The child further alleged that on the night of May 24, Yasinta stayed at a TNI post in Wogekel village instead of returning home. The following day, the family believes she was taken by TNI soldiers who were securing a national strategic project. "She was taken without the family's knowledge," the child stated in the video on May 30.

Amidst these claims, Yasinta Moiwend, accompanied by her lawyer, Hamonangan Daulay, filed a report with the Jakarta Metropolitan Police on May 29. The complaint, registered under number LP/B/3843/V/2026/SPKT/Polda Metro Jaya, accuses the head of LBH Merauke, identified by the initials JTW, of violating the Personal Data Protection Law. This legal action has surprised her family, given Yasinta's known advocacy for indigenous communities opposing national strategic projects.

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She was taken without the family's knowledge.