Home BNews Nasional

TPNPB‑OPM Threatens Javanese in Papua: Ethnic Conflict & Indonesian Response

August 27, 2025
A+ A- Print Email

TPNPB-OPM Threatens Javanese Settlers in Papua: Ethnic Tensions & Indonesia’s Response


· by S. Kalsum


In May 2021, the separatist group TPNPB-OPM (also known as KKB Papua) issued threats against Javanese settlers in Papua, accusing them of illegally occupying indigenous land. The group warned of targeting civilians unless the international community intervened to stop alleged state oppression.

Details of the Threat

The statement, given by TPNPB-OPM’s Diplomatic Council led by Amatus Akouboo Douw, framed their actions as defending ancestral land but included language that expanded targets to include all non-indigenous settlers.

Government Reaction

The Indonesian National Police and Armed Forces responded swiftly. Brig. Gen. Rusdi Hartono emphasized a zero-tolerance stance: “The state must not lose to groups like this.” TPNPB-OPM was officially labeled a terrorist organization, enabling broader legal authority for countermeasures.

Context: Violence in Papua, 2021

Throughout 2021, TPNPB-OPM was responsible for multiple violent attacks across the region. Civilians—especially non-indigenous migrants—faced heightened risks, highlighting the ongoing instability and ethnic tensions in Papua.

Why It Matters Internationally

  • Ethnic conflict: Demonstrates how identity politics can escalate into threats against civilian groups.
  • Counterterrorism strategy: Provides a case study for how states can legally respond to internal armed groups.
  • Human rights perspective: Migrant settlers are vulnerable to targeting—raising important refugee protection questions.
  • Information and media control: Highlights the power of narrative in conflict zones and risks of misinformation.

Key Takeaways

  1. Threats reflect deep-rooted tensions over land, identity, and governance.
  2. TBNPB-OPM’s terrorist designation fortified legal recourse and security action.
  3. 2021 escalation reaffirmed urgency for conflict resolution and protective measures.
  4. Lessons applicable to diaspora security policy and ethnopolitical frameworks globally.

,