Gamaliel M Kaliele, Sorong – A rally supporting the ratification of the Indonesian Military Law (UU TNI) has emerged in Fakfak amid a wave of protests rejecting the law. During the demonstration in Fakfak, the participants also expressed their support for the government's budget efficiency and the free nutritious meals (MBG) programs.

Papua People's Struggle Movement Secretary General (GPRP) Elias Hindom condemned the Fakfak action stating that it represented an attempt to influence public opinion without being based on critical thinking.

"This action only represents the interests of a handful of people in Fakfak. They were [rallying] in the name of the Mbaham Matta indigenous people and students yet not all of them support (the ratification of the TNI Law)", Hindom said by phone on Thursday March 27.

Hindom believes that their demands were not born from objective thinking on the conditions in the land of Papua. Therefore, he considers that the participants are only using democracy as a mask to fight for certain political interests.

"The land of Papua has long been a field of military operations, causing various HAM (human rights) problems. Many activists have voiced this concern. The existence of the military (in the land of Papua) is also closely related to economic interests and control of natural resources by large corporations", Hindom said.

The action supporting the ratification of the TNI Law was held last week in Fakfak on Sunday March 23. The action participants included the Red-and-White Front, the Community Forum for Sons and Daughters of the Armed Forces (FKPPI), the Panca Marga Youth (PPM), the Mbaham Matta Indigenous Peoples and students.

"Students must be the guardians of state policy and not allowed be carried away by misleading opinion. Although we support the strengthening of the TNI, we will still be critical of the policies that have the potential to disrupt the balance of civil and military (roles)," said Haydar, one of the participants at the action. (*)

[Translated by James Balowski. The original article incorrectly reported that the rally took place on Saturday. The original title of the article was "Dukungan Terhadap Undang Undang TNI Abaikan Realitas Di Tanah Papua".]

Source: https://jubi.id/polhukam/2025/dukungan-terhadap-undang-undang-tni-abaikan-realitas-di-tanah-papua/