Imawi Discussion: Indigenous Communities Resist the Merauke PSN
The Wiyagar Student Association (Imawi) held a discussion titled “The Merauke PSN that Seizes the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” on the evening of Monday, April 14, 2025.
The discussion took place at the Imawi Secretariat in Merauke Regency, South Papua. The National Strategic Project (PSN) in Merauke was chosen as the topic of discussion because it has caused widespread environmental damage in the region. The PSN has also infringed upon the rights of indigenous communities to their customary lands.
Several speakers were present at the discussion, including representatives from the Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua) in Merauke, academics, and environmental activists. The event was also attended by students, Wiyagar youth, and representatives of indigenous community groups.
According to Imawi Chairperson Arnold Anda, the discussion was organized to amplify the concerns of indigenous communities regarding the PSN, particularly the food estate project in Merauke. He stated that the implementation of the PSN in Merauke has disregarded the indigenous peoples’ rights to their customary lands and living spaces.
Arnold emphasized that the discussion served as a space for reflection and advocacy, aimed at finding solutions to the ongoing agrarian conflicts in South Papua. He expressed hope that Imawi could foster unity among indigenous students and youth in Merauke to resist the PSN in both Merauke and Mappi Regencies, South Papua.
Diskusi Imawi: Masyarakat Adat Melawan PSN Merauke
Ikatan Mahasiswa Wiyagar (Imawi) menggelar diskusi bertema “PSN Merauke yang Merampas Hak Masyarakat Adat Merauke” pada Senin malam, 14 April 2025.
Acara diskusi tersebut diadakan di Sekretariat Imawi di Kabupaten Merauke, Papua Selatan. Proyek Strategis Nasional atau PSN di Merauke menjadi topik bahasan diskusi karena PSN telah menyebabkan kerusakan lingkungan secara masif di Merauke. PSN di Merauke juga telah merampas hak masyarakat adat atas tanah ulayat mereka.
Dalam diskusi tersebut hadir sejumlah narasumber dari LBH Papua Merauke, akademisi, hingga aktivis lingkungan. Diskusi ini juga dihadiri oleh mahasiswa dan para pemuda Wiyagar serta perwakilan komunitas masyarakat adat.
Menurut Ketua Imawi, Arnold Anda, diskusi ini digelar untuk menyuarakan keresahan masyarakat adat terhadap keberadaan PSN, khususnya proyek food estate di Merauke. PSN di Merauke dilakukan dengan cara yang mengabaikan hak masyarakat adat atas tanah ulayat dan ruang hidup.
Arnold mengatakan diskusi tersebut menjadi ruang refleksi dan advokasi untuk mencari solusi atas konflik agraria yang terus terjadi di Papua Selatan. Dia berharap Imawi mampu membangun persatuan antar sesama mahasiswa dan pemuda adat di Merauke untuk melawan PSN di Kabupaten Merauke dan Kabupaten Mappi, Papua Selatan.
