Jayapura, Papua — The Solidarity of Paniai Students Across Indonesia in Jayapura, Papua held a free speech forum at the Paniai Dormitory in Jayapura City on Monday (18 May 2026) night, voicing opposition to the proposed establishment of several new autonomous regions (DOB) in Paniai Regency, Central Papua.

The students stated that during a demonstration at the Paniai Regional Legislative Council (DPRK) office on 19 January 2026, an agreement was reached to form a special committee (pansus) tasked with delivering the aspirations of the Paniai people to the central government.

The aspirations include rejecting the proposed DOB expansion, which they argue does not align with Law No. 23 of 2014, to be submitted to Indonesia’s Ministry of Home Affairs.

They also called for the revocation of mining permits and special mining permits (IUP/IUPK), which they claim violate Law No. 32 of 2009 concerning environmental impact assessments (AMDAL). This demand is intended to be delivered to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).

In addition, they protested the takeover of customary land by the Indonesian military (TNI), which they say contradicts Article 18B Paragraph (2) of the 1945 Constitution, with plans to submit the complaint to the Ministry of Defence.

However, according to the students, the DPRK Paniai special committee, student representatives, and several community leaders have yet to travel to Jakarta to convey those aspirations to the relevant ministries.

They said the delay was caused by the absence of budget support that should have been allocated to the special committee team by the Paniai Regency Government under Regent Yanpit Nawipa’s 2025–2030 administration.

“Therefore, the Solidarity of Paniai Students Across Indonesia will bring the aspirations of the indigenous people of Paniai directly to the central government, and today we are voicing these demands through free speech forums in various student cities across Indonesia,” the group wrote in a press release issued Monday night.

The students and indigenous communities of Paniai specifically rejected the proposed formation of Moni Regency, East Paniai Regency, West Paniai Regency, Wedauma Regency, and Auyatadi Regency. They said these demands would be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR RI).

They also demanded the revocation of mining permits held by companies including PT Freeport Indonesia, PT Irja Eastern Mineral, PT Nabire Bhakti Mining, PT Kotabara Mitratama, and PT Benliz Pacific.

Furthermore, the students urged the Corruption Eradication Commission to immediately investigate public officials in Paniai allegedly involved in gratification practices and the unilateral signing of mining permits without the involvement of indigenous communities.

The group also rejected the use of public facilities by the TNI and demanded the return of customary land claimed by the military for the construction of military posts and a district military command (Kodim) in Bibida and Komopa districts. They said this aspiration would be submitted to the Ministry of Defence. (*)