DPD Deputy Chair: Papua Exploitation Not New, Longstanding Issue

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - DPD Deputy Chair Yorrys Raweyai revealed that natural resource exploitation in Papua is not a new occurrence.

“Exploitation in Papua is not new. It has been going on for a long time; we need to be aware of this,” said Yorrys in Kramat, Senen, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (26/5/2026).

However, Yorrys noted that the most severe situation currently is in the National Strategic Project (PSN) in Merauke, South Papua.

He highlighted the clearing of 2.5 million hectares of land, which he said has a major impact on the region’s forests.

“You know that Merauke, or South Papua Province, has a population of less than one million, yet 2.5 million hectares of forest are being cleared,” he stated.

Yorrys said he previously raised this issue with the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs.

He questioned where the timber from the land-clearing projects for rice and sugarcane was going.

“If it’s cleared for rice and sugarcane, where does the timber go? There must be logging involved in land clearing. Now where is all that timber going? It’s not barren, and it’s not the Middle East, is it?” he added.

Therefore, Yorrys called for continued advocacy against forest destruction, not only in Papua but also in other regions of Indonesia linked to PSN projects.