Indigenous Kwipalo Clan Disputes Military Claim Over Land in South Papua Sugar Cane Project
The Kwipalo clan in South Papua is contesting the military's claim over their land, which was designated as 'Land of the Indonesian Army' amidst the development of a sugar cane plantation by Murni Nusantara Mandiri. The clan asserts that they were not consulted prior to this declaration and criticized the military's involvement in the project, highlighting the removal of their traditional land barrier.
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The Kwipalo clan's traditional barrier, known as sasi, has been repeatedly removed by Murni Nusantara Mandiri (MNM), which is developing a sugar cane plantation project in Merauke Regency, South Papua. On June 11, 2025, the Kwipalo family found a sign declaring their land as 'Land of the Indonesian Army,' indicating military oversight over the area.
This sign appeared amid military infrastructure construction in the region, which began after military personnel conducted land surveys with company representatives in December 2024. The Kwipalo family, belonging to the Yei tribe, contested the military's claim, asserting that they were not consulted before the announcement. Clan elder Vincen Kwipalo criticized the military's role in supporting the sugar cane project.
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