MK Rejects Lawsuit: Mariyo Officially Wins Gubernatorial Election, Urges Papuans to Strengthen Brotherhood

JAKARTA - The candidate pair for governor and deputy governor number 02 in the Papua gubernatorial election, Mathius Derek Fakhiri-Aryoko Rumaropen (Mariyo) invited the entire Papuan people to re-knit brotherhood and end political differences after the Constitutional Court (MK) rejected the lawsuit of Paslon number 01, Benhur Tomi Mano and Constant Karma regarding the results of the re-voting (PSU) of the Papuan gubernatorial election.

With the Constitutional Court's decision, it has been confirmed that the winner of the Papua Governor Election PSU final is the Mariyo Pair as the result of the Papua Province KPU's decision.

"It's time for us to close the differences, re-knit brotherhood, and together build Papua. We invite all parties, both those who support and those who have different choices, to join hands, maintain peace, and work together for the sake of a peaceful, advanced, and prosperous Papua towards Bright Papua," said Governor Mathius at a press conference responding to the Constitutional Court's decision at the Morressey Hotel, Menteng, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, September 17.

In this press conference, the elected deputy governor Aryoko Rumaropen was also present; Spokesperson for the Mariyo Pair, M.Rifai Darus; Joppi Ingratubun is always the chairman of the Papuan Coalition Bright Mariyo pair; Apedius Motte as the Secretary of the Coalition; as well as representatives of the Mariyo coalition party.

Mathius emphasized that the reading of the Constitutional Court's decision on the day marked the end of the entire legal process for the implementation of the Papua gubernatorial election. He acknowledged that his victory with Papuan Deputy Governor Aryoko Rumaropen was a victory for all Papuan people.

"We, Mathius Derek Fakhiri and Aryoko Rumaropen, sincerely accept this mandate. This victory is not a personal or group victory, but a victory of the Papuan people," said Mathius.

The MARIYO pair, said Mathius, invites all Papuan people to unite again to create a bright Papua, a united Papua, and Papua that gives hope to future generations.

"Thank you to the entire community, election organizers, security forces, and all those who have maintained this democratic process peacefully. Papua for all, Papua is our common home," concluded Mathius.

It is known that the Constitutional Court decided to reject Benhur Tomi Mano and Constant Karma's lawsuits regarding the recapitulation of the Papuan Pilgub re-voting (PSU).

"To try, reject the applicant's application in its entirety," said Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Suhartoyo when delivering the verdict in court, Wednesday.

According to the Constitutional Court, the evidence submitted by Benhur-Contant in this application did not indicate any violation of the law. The Constitutional Court also said that the allegations of human rights violations directed by the applicant to the respondent, namely candidate pair number 02 in the Papua gubernatorial election, Matthew Fakhiri-Aryoko, were not proven.

"The court considers the petitioner's argument regarding human rights violations in the PSU process for the Papua Province election is groundless according to law," said Constitutional Court judge Arsul Sani.

The Constitutional Court also rules out the petitioner's argument stating that the respondent (KPU) has never followed up on the petitioner's application. The Constitutional Court has the opposite view. The Constitutional Court also found no indications of violations or fraud in a structured, systematic and massive manner.

"The Court has found no indication of violation or fraud in a structured, systematic, and still affecting the candidate pair's vote so that it benefits related parties or harms the applicant," he added.

It is known that the Papua gubernatorial election was held twice. In the first round, Benhur Tomi Mano-Yermias Baki won the Papua gubernatorial election. However, the results were sued to the Constitutional Court and the Constitutional Court disqualified Yermias as Papuan cawagub number 1 because he was dishonest about the address of residence or domicile which had an impact on his candidacy.

The Constitutional Court then asked the KPU to hold a re-voting (PSU) without Yermias. He was eventually replaced by Constant Karma.

During the PSU, the Papuan gubernatorial election was won by candidate pair number 2, namely Matthew Fakhiri-Aryoko Rumaropen. PSU results in August 2025, Matthew-Aryoko won by obtaining 259,817 votes or 50.4%.