Declaration of Solidarity Merauke Rejecting PSN
The atmosphere of the reading of the Declaration of Solidarity Merauke Rejecting National Strategic Projects (PSN) took place in Merauke, South Papua, on March 14, 2025.
A number of representatives from communities affected by National Strategic Projects (PSN) from various regions in Indonesia declared their rejection of PSN. This rejection was directed at PSN projects in Merauke, Papua, as well as other regions across Indonesia.
"We demand the total cessation of National Strategic Projects (PSN) and other projects carried out in the name of national interests that clearly sacrifice the people. The perpetrators of state-corporate crimes must return all stolen wealth to the people and immediately restore public health and living spaces in all areas sacrificed in the name of national interests," stated a passage from the declaration read by representatives of the people during the gathering in Merauke, South Papua.
The declaration was the outcome of the "Solidarity Merauke Consolidation" meeting, which took place from March 11 to 14, 2025, in Merauke, South Papua. Over four days, more than 250 indigenous people and local communities affected by PSN, along with various civil society organizations, gathered in solidarity to reject PSN.
The attendees included communities affected by the food estate project in North Sumatra, Central Kalimantan, Keerom - Papua, Merauke, and Mappi, South Papua. Also present were representatives from communities impacted by the Rempang Eco City project in Riau Islands, the new capital city (IKN) project in East Kalimantan, and the Poco Leok geothermal project in East Nusa Tenggara. Additionally, communities affected by extractive industry projects such as energy plantation forests and bioenergy projects in Jambi, as well as PSN projects in Fakfak and Bintuni Bay, West Papua, and palm oil plantation expansion throughout Papua, participated in the event.
Merauke, which hosted the consolidation event, is currently facing PSN expansion involving the clearing of 2 million hectares of land. This project, a legacy of President Joko Widodo, is now being continued by President Prabowo Subianto. The large-scale land clearing has had a significant impact on indigenous communities and poses a serious threat to the preservation of Papua's forests.
The Chairperson of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), Atnike Sigiro, who attended the declaration, stated that between 2020 and 2023, the commission received 114 complaints related to PSN. She also noted that Komnas HAM had issued several recommendations to ministries and government agencies regarding alleged human rights violations in PSN projects.
The declaration was also witnessed by Deputy Minister of Human Rights, Mugiyanto Sipin, who stated that he would relay the concerns of the communities and coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies overseeing PSN programs.
Meanwhile, Franky Samperante, Coordinator of Solidarity Merauke, asserted that the movement against PSN would continue to grow as long as the government fails to meet their demands.
PSN projects have been implemented across Indonesia since 2016. Since then, various issues have emerged, as these projects have led to the displacement of indigenous peoples from their customary lands. Furthermore, PSN projects have caused massive deforestation and environmental destruction.
A report by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) highlighted that PSN projects have resulted in various human rights violations. These projects have also bypassed numerous legal norms and regulations, leading to obstruction and violation of human rights.
The implementation of PSN has been carried out without public involvement, ultimately triggering agrarian conflicts. The repressive measures in conflict-ridden PSN areas have further contributed to human rights violations in Indonesia.
The Consortium for Agrarian Reform (KPA) recorded that between 2020 and 2024, 103,000 households lost their livelihoods due to land seizures for PSN projects. The destruction of water sources, loss of staple foods such as sago, wild vegetables from forests, fish, and other sources of protein from rivers and seas has led to the loss of livelihoods for indigenous communities.
Deklarasi Solidaritas Merauke Menolak PSN
Suasana pembacaan Deklarasi Solidaritas Merauke Menolak Proyek Strategis Nasional (PSN) yang diadakan di Merauke, Papua Selatan pada 14 Maret 2025.
Sejumlah perwakilan masyarakat korban Proyek Strategis Nasional (PSN) dari berbagai daerah di Indonesia menyatakan menolak PSN. Penolakan tersebut ditujukan kepada PSN yang ada di Merauke, Papua, serta daerah lain di Indonesia.
“Kami menuntut penghentian total Proyek Strategis Nasional (PSN) serta proyek-proyek atas nama kepentingan nasional lainnya yang jelas-jelas mengorbankan rakyat. Pelaku kejahatan-negara-korporasi wajib mengembalikan semua kekayaan rakyat yang dicuri dan segera memulihkan kesehatan dan ruang hidup rakyat di seluruh wilayah yang dikorbankan atas nama kepentingan nasional,” demikian petikan deklarasi yang dibacakan perwakilan rakyat dalam pertemuan di Merauke, Papua Selatan.
Deklarasi tersebut adalah hasil pertemuan “Konsolidasi Solidaritas Merauke” yang berlangsung pada 11-14 Maret 2025 di Kota Merauke, Papua Selatan. Selama empat hari, lebih dari 250 masyarakat adat dan masyarakat lokal terdampak PSN, serta pelbagai organisasi masyarakat sipil, berkumpul untuk bersolidaritas menolak PSN.
Warga yang hadir merupakan masyarakat terdampak proyek food estate di Sumatera Utara, Kalimantan Tengah, Keerom - Papua, Merauke dan Mappi, Papua Selatan. Kemudian masyarakat terdampak PSN proyek Rempang Eco City di Kepulauan Riau dan proyek Ibu Kota Negara (IKN) Nusantara di Kalimantan Timur. Juga ada masyarakat korban PSN proyek geothermal Poco Leok di Nusa Tenggara Timur dan proyek industri ekstraktif hutan tanaman energi dan bioenergi di Jambi. Kemudian masyarakat korban PSN di Fakfak dan Teluk Bintuni, Papua Barat, serta ekspansi perkebunan sawit di seluruh tanah Papua.
Merauke yang menjadi tuan rumah konsolidasi tersebut saat ini sedang menghadapi ekspansi PSN berupa pembukaan lahan seluas 2 juta hektare. Proyek tersebut adalah warisan Presiden Joko Widodo yang kini diteruskan oleh Presiden Prabowo Subianto. Pembukaan lahan secara masif itu berdampak luas terhadap masyarakat adat sekaligus mengancam kelestarian hutan Papua.
Ketua Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia (Komnas HAM) Atnike Sigiro yang hadir dalam deklarasi mengatakan, sepanjang 2020-2023 lembaganya menerima 114 kasus aduan terkait PSN. Ia menyebutkan Komnas HAM juga telah menyampaikan sejumlah rekomendasi kepada kementerian dan lembaga terkait dugaan pelanggaran hak asasi manusia di proyek PSN.
Deklarasi tersebut juga disaksikan oleh Wakil Menteri Hak Asasi Manusia Mugiyanto Sipin. Dia mengatakan akan meneruskan masukan dari masyarakat sekaligus akan berkoordinasi dengan kementerian dan lembaga yang terkait program PSN.
Sedangkan Koordinator Solidaritas Merauke, Franky Samperante mengatakan, gerakan menolak PSN akan terus bergulir dan membesar selama pemerintah tidak memenuhi tuntutan mereka.
PSN mulai dijalankan di berbagai daerah di Indonesia sejak 2016. Sejak saat itu berbagai persoalan muncul karena proyek ini menyebabkan masyarakat adat terusir dari tanah ulayat mereka. Selain itu, PSN juga menyebabkan kerusakan hutan dan lingkungan secara masif.
Laporan Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia (Komnas HAM) menyebutkan PSN menimbulkan pelbagai bentuk pelanggaran hak asasi manusia. PSN juga telah menerabas banyak norma dan ketentuan perundang-undangan, hingga berimbas pada penghalangan dan pelanggaran hak asasi manusia.
Pelaksanaan PSN juga dilakukan tanpa pelibatan rakyat yang pada akhirnya memicu konflik agraria. Pendekatan represif di wilayah PSN yang berkonflik terus menambah catatan pelanggaran hak asasi manusia di Indonesia.
Konsorsium Pembaruan Agraria (KPA) mencatat, sebanyak 103 ribu ibu rumah tangga kehilangan sumber penghidupan akibat perampasan tanah oleh proyek PSN sepanjang 2020-2024. Rusaknya sumber air, hilangnya sumber pangan, seperti sagu, sayuran yang tumbuh di hutan, ikan dan berbagai sumber protein di sungai dan laut, membuat masyarakat adat kehilangan mata pencaharian.
