Disappearance of Indigenous Leader Sparks Controversy in West Papua

Key Events

Yasinta Moiwend, an Indigenous Marind leader from West Papua, disappeared from her home in Ilwayab district in late May 2025. Nearly a week later, she appeared on television in Jakarta, accompanied by her lawyer, and filed a complaint against the filmmakers of the documentary Pig Feast: Colonialism in Our Time.

"I came by myself. Nobody asked me to come. The military did not pick me up. There was no intimidation."
— Yasinta Moiwend

Moiwend denies claims she traveled via private jet or was coerced, stating she traveled on a regular passenger plane on her own initiative. However, her family disputes her account, citing lack of funds and reports she stayed at a military post before departure. Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) is investigating allegations of pressure.

Background

Pig Feast documents Indigenous opposition to Indonesia's National Strategic Project (PSN) in South Papua, which involves converting forests for agriculture and bioethanol. Moiwend was a key figure in the documentary, which gained over 13 million YouTube views and was screened approximately 2,000 times.

Before her disappearance, a video circulated in which she expressed support for the PSN, reversing her previous stance.

Statements from Family and Officials

"We were shocked... It felt like three years of struggle had been washed away in a single day."
— Esau Kahol, Moiwend's nephew

Komnas HAM deputy chair Putu Elvina stated that Moiwend is "living in conditions of extreme poverty... she does not have the resources or power to fight on her own."

Film director Dandhy Dwi Laksono urged the public not to judge Moiwend and suggested the developments were a strategy to shift attention from colonialism.

Current Status

• Police are reviewing Moiwend's complaint; no summonses have been issued.
• Moiwend is believed to be still in Jakarta; her family awaits her return.