October 15, 2025 | 10:38 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Central Command Headquarters of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has formally urged President Prabowo Subianto and the House of Representatives (DPR) to take decisive action regarding the political status of Papua and the cessation of violence in the conflict zone.
Major General Teryanus Sato, Chief General Staff of the TPNPB, stated that the group's demands were issued in response to the current conditions in Papua. TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom subsequently released the nine formal demands, emphasizing the immediate need for clarity on the region's military status.
"The President and DPR must immediately announce the status of Papua, whether it is included in the Military Operations Area (DOM) or not," Sambom said on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
The following nine demands were issued by the TPNPB leadership:
1. Status of Papua
The government must immediately clarify whether Papua is formally designated as a Military Operations Area (DOM).
2. Cessation of Aerial Attacks
President Prabowo is demanded to stop all aerial attacks utilizing drones, Brazilian Super Tucano fighter aircraft, Spanish Cassa aircraft, and Serbian and American-made bombs currently being used to bombard civilian and refugee settlements.
3. Compliance with International Law
The TPNPB urges President Prabowo to adhere to the laws of war during ground and aerial operations, stating that current military actions are causing many civilian casualties.
4. Access and Humanitarian Assistance
Local, national, and international humanitarian agencies must be granted direct access to assess the conditions of over 100,000 refugees displaced by the armed conflict, and to immediately provide aid.
5. Return of Civilian Facilities
The Indonesian military must return church buildings, schools, and civilian homes that are currently being used as military posts across various regions of Papua.
6. Access for International Journalists
The TPNPB calls on the government to grant international journalists full access to report directly on the conflict situation.
7. Cessation of Civil Aircraft Use
The military is requested to stop using civil aircraft for the transportation of troops and military logistics in conflict areas.
8. Resolution of Domestic Conflicts
The TPNPB demands that the government resolve the armed conflict in Papua, which has been ongoing for over 63 years, before discussing international conflicts such as the Palestine-Israel or Ukraine-Russia disputes.
9. Cessation of Civil Involvement
Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Agus Subiyanto is asked to cease the involvement of Police Assistance (Banpol) and Reservist Components (Komcad) in intelligence missions within the conflict-ridden Papua region.
Sebby Sambom concluded the announcement, saying, "This statement is officially announced to the public to draw attention and to be implemented. May the ancestors of the Papuan nation bless us all."
Government Response
In response to the TPNPB statement, Dave Laksono, Deputy Chairman of DPR Commission I, stated that such accusations must be substantiated with evidence, arguing that unsubstantiated claims only incite unrest.
"Our TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) are professional soldiers who work in accordance with rules and laws," he asserted on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
Tempo attempted to reach Presidential Chief of Staff Muhammad Qodari and the Indonesian National Armed Forces Information Center for comment, but there was no response by press time.
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