TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Petrus Kinggo Kambenap met with Boven Digoel Regent Roni Omba in the third week of February 2026. The head of the Kinggo Kambenap clan pressed for the recognition of customary forest rights over his land in Asiki village, Jair District, Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua. "We are asking for an expedited process because the national strategic project has already arrived and started staking out our land," Petrus said when contacted on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
The meeting with Roni took place as Petrus, along with representatives of 13 indigenous clans in Boven Digoel, staged a protest at the regent's office on Tuesday, February 24. At the time, Petrus brought a number of documents applying for customary forest rights. Since 2021, those applications have yet to be ratified by either the regent or the Ministry of Forestry.
In a twist of irony, Roni told Petrus that his own customary land had also been staked out by the government. His land in Persatuan village, Mandobo District, is reportedly included in the national strategic project for food, energy, and water self-sufficiency in South Papua. The government plans to transform the area into oil palm plantations.
Hearing Roni's account, Petrus found himself at a loss. He could only return home without any certainty. Yet his hopes have not entirely faded. Petrus still clings to the prospect of securing 5,100 hectares of customary forest rights for the Wambon Tekamerop people in the Kali Kao area. "Even though we are anxious because we are facing a giant monster that cannot be fought," he said.
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