JAKARTA - Elements of the Wabu Block Community, Intan Jaya Papua held an audience with Commission VII DPR RI on Monday, March 28. During the hearing, the Intan Jaya Papua Indigenous Peoples Rights Advocacy Team expressed a protest and firmly rejected the exploitation of the mountainous area of the Wabu Block which was said to have a gold content of 8.1 million ounces of gold.
Bartolomeus Similar, the Head of the Intan Jaya Advocacy Team for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, firmly rejects the presence of gold mountain mining in the Wabu Block, which is a customary territory.
"There are many bitter memories that have been written in the history of Indonesia, especially the Land of Papua, with the company's presence," he said, Monday, March 28.
Bartholomew also read 9 statements of the attitude of the Intan Jaya indigenous people which were signed by some of the community and community leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders, women leaders, intellectual leaders, as well as student and student leaders.
The contents of the statement read out included: First, rejecting the community from exploiting the gold mountain mine in the Wabu Block; Second, to urge the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) of the Republic of Indonesia to immediately revoke the operating license that has been issued to PT ANTAM, Tbk; Third, reject all kinds of discussions related to the exploitation of gold mines in the Wabu Intan Jaya Papua Block for any reason.
Fourth, stating that the Intan Jaya indigenous people live in fear, pressure and have fled to other areas from 2019 to 2020 due to armed conflict between the Indonesian National Police and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB); Fifth, the indigenous people of Intan Jaya Papua as the owner of the birthright over all ulayat rights expressed their refusal to exploit gold mines in the name of any interest.
Sixth, requesting Commission VII of the DPR RI to urge the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, SOEs not to involve the Intan Jaya indigenous community, the Intan Jaya Regional Government, the Intan Jaya DPRD, the Papua Governor, the Papua Provincial DPR and various other parties to discuss the exploitation of the golden mountain; Seventh, asking the Ministry of SOEs to stop looking for investors and lobbying investors because of the plan to exploit the gold mountain mine in the Wabu Block, Kab. Intan Jaya Papua Province so that we Intan Jaya indigenous people suffer and die on our own customary land.
Eighth, the community of Intan Jaya asked not to allow and sign the permit for exploitation of the gold mountain mine in the Wabu Block and immediately revoke 4 companies in the Intan Jaya area; Ninth, the people of Intan Jaya want to live in safety and peace. Ask the Central Government to immediately review the policy of sending non-organic military to Papua and withdraw all non-organic troops stationed in Intan Jaya.
At the end of his speech, Bartholomew also read out his four recommendations to members of Commission VII DPR RI.
"Thus, we offer several points which we think are a comprehensive solution for resolving the Intan Jaya conflict, namely firstly requesting the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources to immediately revoke the mining permit that has been issued to PT Antam to exploit gold in Intan Jaya," he said.
Second, requesting the President to withdraw all non-organic members of the TNI and Polri throughout the territory of Papua.
Third, request that the Central Government and Regional Governments prioritize safety and peace in Intan Jaya and Papua entirely with well-organized and sustainable social services to the people living in the refugee camps until they return to their respective areas.
"Finally, we urge the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Indonesian Red Cross to immediately handle refugees who have fled from Intan Jaya to various mountainous areas in accordance with the mandate of the law," he concluded.
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