December 17, 2025 | 10:46 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Greenpeace Indonesia and Pusaka Bentala Rakyat Foundation have voiced their concerns over President Prabowo Subianto's push to drive palm oil, sugarcane, and cassava plantations in Papua. They believed the initiative could bring ecological disasters to the region.
Prabowo mentioned during his meeting with Papua leaders and the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development in Papua that his plan aims for energy and food self-sufficiency.
"In pursuit of food and energy self-sufficiency ambitions, Prabowo is designing an ecological disaster for Papua," said Asep Komarudin, Greenpeace Indonesia's Forest Campaigner, in a written statement received by Tempo on December 17, 2025.
The head of state's ambition could mean land clearing of millions of natural forest land while disregarding the indigenous Papuan communities as the landowners.
Prabowo, Asep said, is not learning from the ecological disasters in Sumatra, which were caused by massive deforestation by palm oil and forestry extractive businesses, which have led to the deaths of 1,030 people. The Sumatra disaster has also caused an economic loss of Rp68.8 trillion and the destruction of property and socio-economic infrastructure.
Asep said the "Papua must be cultivated" remark reflects a top-down approach that disregards the right to self-determination over living spaces. Papua is once again positioned as an object of national policy, disregarding the rights of indigenous communities.
"The statement contains a colonial logic: the most powerful state determines and alters the social life of the people and the natural environment in Papua, as if Papua is an empty space waiting to be developed by state projects," he said.
Existing Palm Oil Plantations in Papua
Meanwhile, Pusaka Bentala Rakyat Foundation identified 94 palm oil plantation companies in Papua covering 1,332,032 hectares. Tigor Hutapea, Advocacy Staff at Pusaka Bentala Rakyat Foundation, stated that the palm oil plantations are controlled and owned by a handful of corporations close to high-ranking state officials.
In Merauke, Tigor stated that the food and energy self-sufficiency project has been ongoing for almost two years without the consent of the indigenous communities and adequate business feasibility permits. He mentioned that within a short period, more than 22,680 hectares of natural forests have disappeared. Indigenous communities, human rights activists, and environmental activists work in an environment of insecurity.
"The project involves thousands of military personnel, and there are verbal, physical, and psychological pressures and threats," said Tigor.
Tigor mentioned that the flooding in areas around the concessions in Jagebob, Tanah Miring, Muting, and Eligobel Districts, which submerged farmland and residential settlements, is suspected to be caused by palm oil plantations upstream.
"In this forest conversion scheme, the most benefited parties are large plantation corporations and investors, political and economic elites who enjoy permit rent. On the other hand, indigenous Papuans are positioned as obstacles to development. The consent process often neglects the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC)," said Tigor.
Read: Why Prabowo Is Advocating Palm Oil Plantation Expansion in Papua
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Today's Top 3 News: World Bank Warns Sumatra Floods Could Hit Indonesia's Economy
7 jam lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Why Prabowo Is Advocating Palm Oil Plantation Expansion in Papua
11 jam lalu
President Prabowo is advocating for the cultivation of oil palm in Papua, aiming to produce biofuel from oil palm and ethanol from sugarcane, as part of the effort to reduce fuel imports.
Prabowo Approves Indonesia's 2026 Provincial Minimum Wage Formula
12 jam lalu
President Prabowo approved a wage formula based on inflation plus economic growth, with an alpha factor of 0.5 to 0.9.
President Prabowo Threatens to Dismiss Incompetent Officials
12 jam lalu
Prabowo has warned that officials who are unable to perform their duties or misuse state assets for personal or group gain will face dismissal.
Papua Gets Triple Budget for Free Nutritious Meal Program
13 jam lalu
The Indonesian National Nutrition Agency (BGN) stated that the budget for the free nutritious meals (MBG) in Papua is three times higher than in Java.
Prabowo Urges Oil Palm Planting in Papua for Biofuel
16 jam lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto urges the planting of oil palms in Papua to produce alternative fuel as a substitute for fossil fuel.
Indonesia Targets 2,500 Free Meal Public Kitchens in Papua by Mid-2026
1 hari lalu
At present, Papua has about 179 SPPG to serve the free meal program.
The Fragile Structure of Indonesia's Sovereign Wealth Danantara
1 hari lalu
The lack of governance spread across the entire bureaucracy structure of Danantara could increase the risk of operational paralysis.
PT Toba Pulp Lestari Responds to Gov't Audit Following Sumatra Flood Concerns
1 hari lalu
Anwar Lawden, Director of PT Toba Pulp Lestari Tbk, emphasized that the company fully respects the government's decision.
Prabowo Pushes for Oil Palm Cultivation in Papua to Boost Alternative Fuel
1 hari lalu
In addition to oil palm, Prabowo is also promoting the cultivation of sugarcane and cassava to produce ethanol.
