TPNPB-OPM Intan Jaya Vows to Continue Armed Resistance Over Wabu Block Mining and Jesus Statue Project

Intan Jaya, Olemah.com – In an open letter circulated to the public, the Commander of the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) Kodap VIII Intan Jaya has declared that armed clashes will persist in the region until their demands are met, despite casualties among their fighters.

The TPNPB-OPM Kompi Jogaetea Mboetuga also announced a national mourning for the death of Haresatu Nambagani, a TPNPB member who fell in combat and is regarded by the group as a war hero.

“Haresatu Nambagani is a hero for TPNPB OPM Kodap VIII Intan Jaya, especially for the Wabogo Mbuga to Mpoetuga and Soali units. We deeply mourn the loss of one of West Papua’s freedom fighters,” the statement reads.

The group emphasized that their armed struggle in Intan Jaya is not driven by basic needs, but by political and territorial resistance.

“This is not about food or drink. We continue to wage war and fire shots to firmly oppose the entry of mining companies into the Wabu Block and the planned construction of a Jesus statue in Sugapa. We demand that Acting Regent Apolos Bagau, ST immediately revoke the construction permit for the statue and reject the Wabu Block project. If the Regent has ever signed a recommendation for Wabu Block, we demand it be officially withdrawn,” the group wrote.

The open letter also reaffirmed their stance, having been engaged in guerrilla warfare against the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and police (Polri) in Intan Jaya since January 19, 2024. The statement outlined three key points:

“We, TPNPB OPM, are not fighting for food or drink. Remember that.”

“The local government, particularly Acting Regent Apolos Bagau and Head of Department Bernard Kobogau, must be held accountable for the lives lost in this war.”

“TPNPB OPM will not surrender as long as the Jesus statue and Wabu Block project remain in Intan Jaya. We will continue to resist until the end, until freedom is achieved.”

The declaration was signed by the Commander of TPNPB OPM Kodap VIII Intan Jaya, representing guerrilla companies from Wabogo Mbuga to Mpoetuga and Soali, and was issued from the battlefield in Intan Jaya at 4:00 p.m. on January 23, 2024.

Meanwhile, in a joint letter from all Kodap units, battalions, companies, and platoons in Intan Jaya, TPNPB OPM collectively rejected the plan to build a Jesus statue in Sugapa.

The group claims that the statue project is being facilitated by the Indonesian government and its military apparatus without proper consultation or consent from key local religious leaders—specifically from the Evangelical Church of Indonesia (GKII), Catholic Church, and Kingmi Papua—as well as the grassroots communities in the region.

“We believe the statue project is a cover for allowing PT Antam Tbk to operate in Wabu Block. There is something hidden within this project that serves Jakarta’s interest. As a result, all TPNPB OPM fighters have united to wage war against this agenda in Intan Jaya,” the joint letter stated.(**)