Papua’s Golden Curse: How Indonesia Turns Riches into Poverty and Silence

Freeport's exploitation at Grasberg in West Papua, one of the world's largest gold mines 

Since May 1, 1963—the so-called “liberation” day marking Indonesia’s occupation of Papua—the indigenous Papuans have become the proud owners of... poverty. Yes, right on their ancestral land, famously rich in natural resources, most Papuans now struggle just to survive.

Before Indonesian “help,” Papuans lived independently, hunting, farming, fishing—no begging, no handouts. But now? Thanks to modern neocolonialism, their lives are reduced to a daily battle against destitution. You’d think the international community might blink at this blatant injustice, but no—everyone’s just comfortably ignoring it. Multatuli, the 19th-century Dutch critic of colonialism, warned us: people get so used to lies they applaud them. Welcome to Indonesia, where lying isn’t just a habit, it’s a national pastime.

Politicians there? Arrogant, deceitful, and racist—especially against Papuans. The military and police have a free pass to “clean up” Papua, conveniently labeling any Papuan resistance as “terrorism.” Torture, mutilation, murder? All fine, as long as the perpetrators get to wear medals afterward.

Laws are crafted by oligarchs to keep Papuans scared, submissive, and silent. And patriotism? Just a shiny tool to criminalize anyone who dares oppose the regime. Development projects are a cover story for cultural destruction and resource theft—systematic, massive, and ruthless. The riches of Papua? Enjoyed by a tiny elite while Papuans perish on a mountain of gold. What a glorious “progress” for the world’s largest gold mine. Papuans don’t just live on the land—they die for it.