Papua Lawmaker Rejects Prabowo's Palm Oil Plan, Military Projects
Reporter
January 15, 2026 | 10:31 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Paul Finsen Mayor, a member of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) from Southwest Papua, expressed his disapproval of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's plan to encourage oil palm plantations in Papua. Finsen stated that his opposition represents the aspirations of the indigenous Papuan people.
He also asked Regional Representative Council (DPD) Speaker Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin to report the opposition to Prabowo and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia. The request was made during an interruption of the DPD plenary session on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
"Leaders, the indigenous people of Papua reject the oil palm initiative in Papua. So, convey this to Mr. Prabowo and Bahlil, stop with this project because Papuans don't like it," Finsen said in the plenary meeting room at the DPR, DPD, and MPR complex in Jakarta on Wednesday.
In addition to palm oil, Finsen also expressed his objections to the establishment of the Territorial Development Infantry Battalion (Yonif TP) in Papua. He believes that the Indonesian Army headquarters, which focuses on improving food security, is not aligned with the needs of Papuans.
This is because Yonif TP has a special company that handles agriculture and animal husbandry. "Papuans need schools and hospitals, not army headquarters," he said.
Finsen also reminded that the Papuan Special Autonomy Law mandates improving access to education and healthcare, rather than food security.
After hearing Finsen's concerns, Regional Representative Council (DPD) Speaker Sultan stated that he had gathered all input from his members. The former deputy governor of Bengkulu is seeking a face-to-face meeting with Prabowo to follow up on the senators' concerns.
"We are currently seeking a meeting schedule, including with the President in a consultation meeting to convey the same point," said Sultan.
One month ago, Prabowo pushed for the planting of oil palms in Papua, which can produce an alternative fuel to hydrocarbon-based fuels. He delivered this directive while briefing six governors and 42 regents in the Papua region, along with his cabinet members and the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development in Papua at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
"We hope that oil palms will also be planted in Papua so that they can also produce fuel from palm oil," Prabowo said.
Prabowo initially explained that the government is committed to achieving energy self-sufficiency to reduce dependence on imported fuel. If Indonesia develops alternative fuels, he estimates the country could save up to Rp250 trillion in fuel imports annually.
Therefore, in addition to oil palm, he also encouraged the development of new and renewable energy sources using locally sourced raw materials. For example, cassava and sugarcane plantations are being encouraged to produce ethanol.
Read: Agriculture Ministry Expands Rice Field Program to Papua
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
