Gamaliel M. Kaliele, Sorong – Protesters from the Greater Sorong Pro-Democratic Solidarity Movement held a protest action opposing plans to move the trial of four Papuan political prisoners (tapol) from Sorong City to Makassar in South Sulawesi.
The action took place at the Southwest Papua Governor's Office on Friday August 25 from morning through to the evening.
Solidarity General Coordinator Simon Nauw stressed that their rejection to the change of venue was not a joke. "We reject the transfer of the trial to Makassar because it does not have a legal basis. This is just a fabricated reason pushed through by the Southwest Papua Forkopimda [Regional Leadership Coordinating Forum]", he said in a speech.
The four political prisoners from the pro-independence group West Papua Federal Republic or NFRPB are Abraham G. Gamam, Nikson Mai, Piter Robaha and Maksi Sangkek, who were arrested in April 2025 and subsequently charged with makar (treason, subversion, rebellion) and violations of the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law.
In a statement, Greater Sorong Papua Solidarity submitted six demands. First, rejecting the transfer of the trial to Makassar. Second, urging the Governor of Southwest Papua, Elisa Kambu and Forkopimda, to revoke the recommendation for the trial to be moved because it is seen as being full of manipulation.
Third, asking that the four political prisoners to be moved from the Municipal Police (Polresta) Detention Centre to the Sorong District Court because the detention period has already exceeded the time limit for a criminal investigation.
The fourth demand was addressed to the Attorney General's Office, asking them to cancel the trial which is considered to be legally flawed. Fifth, unconditionally releasing the four political prisoners because there is no valid evidence. And sixth, giving the right of self-determination to the people of West Papua.
"There are no legal grounds, there is no valid evidence. Therefore, free the four Papuan political prisoners unconditionally. They are victims of criminalisation, not criminals", said Nauw.
This action began at 9 am with a long march from the Yohan Complex to the Southwest Papua Governor's office. The protesters carried banners and posters with messages opposing the trail being moved. They took turns giving speeches until 4 pm.
Their disappointment peaked when Governor Elisa Kambu failed to come out to meet with them. "We've been waiting since morning, the governor said he would attend. But as of this afternoon, he has not appeared. The governor's promise was just an empty promise", shouted a speaker from the command car.
As a form of protest, the protesters set fire to tyres in front of the governor's office. Black smoke soared up into the sky as a symbol of their disappointment. "We burned the tires not to make trouble, but as a sign of deep disappointment. The governor did not attend, this was an insult to the people of Papua", said one of the participants at the action.
From the government, the head of the Southwest Papua Transportation Agency, Viktor Salossa, was present representing the governor. He conveyed an apology because the governor was out of town. "The governor has an activity in Jakarta, later on Thursday or next Friday, only then can he meet directly with the protesters", he explained.
Despite being marred by the burning of the tyres, the action ended in an orderly manner and the demonstrators disbanded peacefully after conveying their demands.
Nauw however emphasised that the struggle was not over. "If the state does not heed the demands of the Papuan people, we are ready to return with more demonstrators. Sorong to Jakarta will hear our voices. Greetings democracy", he concluded.
- Four Papuan pro-independence activists arrested on charges of treason. Detik Sulsel – April 28, 2025
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Solidaritas Papua Sorong Raya Tolak Pemindahan Sidang Empat Tapol Ke Makassar".]
