Commander Denies Allegations of Military Involvement in Mama Sinta Case
The Commander of the XXIV/Mandala Trikora Regional Military Command, Major General Frits Wilem Rizard Pelamonia, has denied that the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) were involved in the alleged kidnapping of Yasinta Moiwend, known as Mama Sinta. He assured that public speculation did not match the facts on the ground and stressed there was no coercion in Mama Sinta’s departure to Jakarta. ‘I guarantee it was not an act by the TNI. There was no kidnapping as widely reported,’ he said in a statement on Thursday (11/6).
Frits noted that the reports of Mama Sinta’s disappearance had been clarified directly by the individual concerned. Based on her testimony, she stated there was never any coercion or kidnapping. ‘The person who experienced this is Mama Yasinta. And her testimony is clear, there was no kidnapping. She is safe and healthy,’ he said.
He also dismissed various speculations about the involvement of state apparatus, including the use of a specific aircraft in the relocation process. He considered such narratives groundless and needing correction. ‘The issue of her being transported by a certain aircraft is not true. That is speculation not based on facts,’ he stated.
Frits said that to date, there have been no reports from TNI ranks in the field regarding actions outside procedure against civilians, including in the case of Mama Yasinta. He suggested the circulation of this issue stemmed from a lack of direct confirmation with relevant parties, leading to assumptions that could potentially mislead the public. ‘If no one asks directly or confirms, then assumptions emerge as if the TNI were involved, this must be rectified,’ he said.
He further invited the public to be wiser in responding to circulating information and not to be easily influenced by unverified narratives. ‘We must look at the facts from the person concerned directly, do not let incorrect information worsen the situation,’ he said.
Frits hoped that with this statement, there would be no further polemics regarding Mama Sinta that could develop into disinformation disrupting stability, particularly in the South Papua region. Based on gathered information, the family had lost contact with Mama Sinta since 24 May. However, on 29 May, Mama Sinta visited the Metro Jaya Regional Police to file a report.
Mama Sinta is known to have reported the Head of the Papua Merauke Legal Aid Institute (LBH), with the initials JTW, regarding the film ‘Pesta Babi: Kolonialisme di Zaman Kita’ (Pig Party: Colonialism in Our Time) to the Metro Jaya Regional Police. The report is registered under number LP/B/3843/V/2026/SPKT/Polda Metro Jaya, dated 29 May 2026. The Head of LBH Merauke was reported under Article 65 in conjunction with Article 67 concerning Personal Data Protection. ‘What we are reporting here is against an individual. An individual, the Head of LBH Merauke,’ said Mama Sinta’s legal counsel, Hamonangan Daulay, to reporters.
Meanwhile, Mama Sinta expressed her distress over the screening of the film featuring her. She stated that the filmmakers never sought her permission. ‘They screened that Pig Party film everywhere, I am deeply hurt and disappointed. Without my permission, without discussion. They are criminals,’ she said. ‘My face is everywhere they screen that film, I am hurt. Without my permission. That is why I came to Jakarta. That is all I have to say,’ she added. Besides the Head of LBH Merauke, Mama Sinta also reported Dandhy Dwi Laksono, the director of the documentary, according to the Head of Public Relations of the Metro Jaya Regional Police.