Jayapura, Jubi – Eltinus Omaleng, Chair of the Papuan Customary Council representing the Meepago region, announced plans to formally invite PT Freeport Indonesia to a dialogue addressing the future of Indigenous communities living within the company’s operational areas.
The statement was delivered after he led the 2026 First Plenary Session of the Meepago Customary Council in Abepura, Jayapura, on Wednesday (April 8, 2026).
Omaleng said the meeting is scheduled for May 10 in Mimika Regency, Central Papua. The agenda will focus on evaluating Freeport’s nearly six decades of operations in Papua, particularly its role in preparing Indigenous Papuans for leadership positions.
“We want to ask Freeport directly: after 59 years of operating in Papua, how to prepare Indigenous Papuans to lead—potentially even to the level of president director within the company.” he said.
The former Mimika regent (2014–2019 and 2019–2024) added that the meeting will also involve the Governor of Central Papua, six other governors across Papua, and representatives of the seven customary regions in the territory.
He emphasized that if their concerns are not addressed, the council is prepared to pursue justice beyond Indonesia, including at the international level.
Omaleng also highlighted the Indonesian government’s majority ownership in Freeport, which currently stands at 51 percent and is expected to increase to 63 percent by 2041 through a divestment scheme tied to the extension of the company’s Special Mining Business Permit (IUPK) until 2061.
“With Freeport’s shares projected to drop to 37 percent, and I am concerned that the United States will sell the remaining shares to just anyone—they will wash their hands of it and disappear. Therefore, we will sit down together with PT Freeport Indonesia, the customary councils from the seven Indigenous regions, and governors across Papua to discuss whether these remaining shares can be given to us. If not, the customary councils of the seven Indigenous regions across Papua will unite to shut down Freeport,” he warned.
Wolter Belau, Chair of the Meepago Customary Council, echoed the call and urged broader support from other customary councils across Papua.
“If our demands are ignored, communities from Mimika, Nabire, Deiyai, Dogiyai, Intan Jaya, and Paniai—who are traditional landowners—are prepared to take collective action, including shutting down Freeport. We are calling on the other six customary regions to stand with us,” Belau said.
Meanwhile, Yakobias Wabrar, representing the Papuan Customary Council of the Tabi region, affirmed solidarity with Meepago and pledged continued support.
“We will stand together with all seven customary regions. Mr. Omaleng will coordinate this effort, and we will continue to advocate for the interests of Indigenous Papuans in Meepago,” he said.
Wabrar also expressed hope that all governors across Papua would join the discussions and support a unified approach to resolving the issue. (*)
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