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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Conflict & Security

Papua Conflict Escalates, Lawmaker Says VP Gibran Responsible

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka holds authority for handling the Papua conflict, according to MPR Deputy Speaker Bambang Wuryanto.
  • This responsibility stems from Law No. 2 of 2021 on Special Autonomy for Papua, which designates the VP to lead efforts in the region.
  • Recent violence in Papua, including the deaths of a pregnant woman and a US pilot, highlights the ongoing security challenges and the need for focused attention on the conflict.

The handling of the escalating conflict in Papua falls under the purview of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, stated Bambang Wuryanto, Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). This authority is explicitly outlined in Law No. 2 of 2021 concerning Special Autonomy for Papua.

Bambang Wuryanto, a politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, emphasized that the unique status of Papua as a special autonomous region necessitates a specific approach. He advised against casual commentary on the ongoing conflicts, suggesting that such remarks could unproductive fuel disputes. Instead, he recommended that issues be directed to the Vice President, who is specifically tasked with accelerating Papua's development and addressing human rights violations.

So, the special nature is actually already in the law, it is the responsibility of the vice president. So if things like that happen, it's best to ask the vice president.

— Bambang WuryantoThe MPR Deputy Speaker explains that the Vice President is legally responsible for handling matters related to Papua's special autonomy.

The situation in Papua remains tense, marked by ongoing clashes between the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM). These confrontations have tragically resulted in civilian casualties. On July 2, 2026, a pregnant woman, Melkiana Duwitau, was killed in a firefight in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua. On the same day, American pilot Nicholas F. Goselin was shot and killed when his plane was set ablaze by TPNPB-OPM in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan.

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka received a special mandate from President Prabowo Subianto in October 2024 to address various issues in Papua. This includes accelerating development and tackling human rights concerns. As per the Special Autonomy Law, the Vice President chairs the Steering Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development in Papua, responsible for coordinating, synchronizing, and evaluating the implementation of special autonomy and development initiatives in Indonesia's easternmost region.

So whatever happens there (in Papua), don't comment immediately. If you comment, it will create unproductive opinion conflicts.

— Bambang WuryantoWuryanto advises against premature public statements on the Papua conflict to avoid exacerbating tensions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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