Save the Land and People of Malind Anim Merauke, West Papua

Red cross planting in protest

Shalom, peace be with you!

Today Friday, January 3, 2025, in the village of Wambi Merauke, We, the Indigenous People of Mayol Bodol, held a Cross Planting as a Symbol of Rejection of the Indonesian Government's National Strategic Project that seized 2 million hectares of land, which affected our village, especially through PT. John Lim Group.

We convey to the world, to all members and leaders of the Catholic Church, that we Malind people of Merauke, West Papua uphold the Catholic religion that entered our land on August 14, 1905. We firmly reject the massive eviction and deforestation of Malind Merauke, from Kondo to Digul.

We also call on the UN, international media, international solidarity groups that we, the indigenous people of Malind-West Papua, firmly reject companies that enter and seize our land, forests, poison our rivers and water, and exterminate the wildlife on our land.

The people standing behind me have agreed that we will not sell our customary land to companies and to anyone else. To the central government in Jakarta, the district government in Merauke, stop destroying the lives of indigenous peoples! Indigenous lands do not belong to the Indonesian state. Recognition of customary laws and communities must be upheld. We are human beings with dignity and self-respect. We are God's creation and equal to everyone else in this world. 

Once again, stop the seizure of indigenous lands! This does not belong to the Indonesian State. This is our inherited land. Government of Indonesia, remember that! Thank you for hearing our call,

Esau Kaize

Representative of the Malind Anim Land Owners.