House Rejects Solomon Islands PM UN Statement

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Sukamta has criticized remarks by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Cooper Wale, who again raised the Papua issue during the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, United States. He said the remarks constituted one-sided allegations that did not fully reflect the situation.

"Statements that cast Papua's human rights enforcement in a negative light are one-sided allegations without clear facts and tend to be misleading," Sukamta said in a written statement on Monday, September 28, 2026, as quoted by dpr.go.id.

He said the DPR rejected what he described as a "narrative that interfered in matters related to Indonesia's sovereignty". Sukamta also called for relations among Pacific countries to focus more on constructive and mutually respectful cooperation.

In his address to the UN General Assembly, Wale referred to reports of alleged human rights violations in Papua and called for independent verification. In response, Sukamta said there remained an information gap on the situation in Papua.

"This repeated intervention reflects a fundamental lack of understanding of the legal situation and inclusive development in Papua," Sukamta, representing the Special Region of Yogyakarta, said.

Sukamta said efforts to maintain stability and the welfare of the Papuan people should be pursued through several key approaches. This includes strengthening humanitarian efforts and protecting civilians.

Sukamta, of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), said the most fundamental human right was the right to live safely and free from violence. He pointed to continued civilian casualties resulting from armed violence in Papua, saying that law enforcement efforts should be carried out humanely and preventively, with public safety as the priority.

Another approach, he said, was to fulfill human rights through inclusive development. Sukamta emphasized that access to education, healthcare, infrastructure, digital connectivity and economic empowerment were important parts of fulfilling people's basic rights.

He said the government continued to promote infrastructure development, energy distribution to remote areas and scholarships for young Papuans. He also called on Pacific countries to support economic empowerment and sustainable development programs in Papua.

As part of the Melanesian community, Sukamta said he understands that Pacific countries pay attention to Papua, but such attention should be based on verified data and facts. He claimed the DPR remained open to dialogue and was ready to invite Solomon Islands lawmakers and leaders to see firsthand developments in Papua related to development, law enforcement, and human rights.

“...The DPR RI is committed to safeguarding the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia while ensuring that the development rights of the people of Papua continue to be fulfilled," he concluded.