Jayapura, Jubi – The Ateta clan, an Indigenous customary law community of the Sumuri people in Teluk Bintuni Regency, West Papua Province, has announced a boycott of all activities by Genting Oil Kasuri Pte. Ltd. (GOKPL) on its customary land.
The clan is also demanding that the company suspend its activities and use of the dispute land until a mutually agreed resolution is reached.
Ateta clan head Benedictus Ateta said the decision followed by the company’s failure to provide certainty about holding talks to resolve the dispute over the use of their customary land.
“The boycott will be carried through community consolidation and peaceful action, while continuing to respect applicable laws and the safety of the community and workers,” Benedictus said in an electronic message on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
The dispute concerns GOKPL’s use of Ateta customary land for the Rajawali-IX access road and gas wells.
According to the clan, the unresolved issues include the legal basis for using the customary land and the determination of compensation for its use.
In a letter dated September 30, 2026, GOKPL stated that the Rajawali-IX access road was located in an area designated for other uses (Areal Penggunaan Lain, or APL), rather than in forest areas used for the development of production at the Asap Kido Merah Field.
On that basis, the company said the regent’s decision establishing guidelines for minimum compensation rates did not apply to the access road.
GOKPL also referred to compensation previously provided and suggested that the amount agreed upon earlier be used as a reference.
The Ateta clan responded to the company’s letter, but said it had yet to receive a reply providing certainty about how the dispute would be resolved.
The clan insists that the matter must not remain unsolved and that the use of its customary land must be discussed openly, with respect for Indigenous rights and applicable regulations.
After receiving no response to its letter, a delegation representing the Ateta clan visited GOKPL’s office on the 16th and 17th floors of Menara Bank DBS, Ciputra World, Jalan Prof. Dr. Satrio Kav. 3-5, Karet Kuningan, Setiabudi, South Jakarta, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
The delegation included Benedictus Ateta, West Papua People’s Representative Council (MRBP) member Theres Florensia Ateta and three community representatives. They sought a meeting with company management.
Before the visit, Theres had contacted the company’s external relations staff to inform them of the planned visit and sent a formal request for dialogue.
However, upon arrival, the delegation was met only in the lobby by two external relations staff members, identified as Aditya and Ana Agofa.
Aditya reportedly said the company’s senior management was not in the office and that the staff present could not accommodate the delegation. The meeting did not preceed.
For the Ateta clan, the lack of a confirmed meeting and follow-up has deepened disappointment and distrust in the dispute resolution process.
The clan said its attempts to engage in dialogue should not be ignored and must be met with concrete action.
“We came seeking a resolution and requesting dialogue with people who have the authority to make decisions. We cannot accept our customary land dispute being left unresolved without any certainty,” Benedictus said.
“We demand respect for the rights of the Ateta clan, a written response to our letter, and open a fair discussions and compensation. Until there is a clear resolution, we have decided to boycott Genting Oil’s activities on our customary land.”
Benedictus said customary land was central to the Ateta clan’s way of life, identity, livelihoods, and future. Investment, he said, could not be used as a reason to disregarf Indigenous communities’ rights to their territories.
Meanwhile, Theres Florensia Ateta said companies should have wear clear mechanism for engagement and provide certainty about follow-up action when Indigenous communities seek dialogue.
Recognition of Indigenous communities, she said, should not exist only on paper. It must be demonstrated through a willingness to listen, disclose relevant information and resolve disputes over rights with dignity.
Theres urged GOKPL to arrange an official meeting with the Ateta clan, involving the local government and other relevant parties.
She stressed that Indigenous communities must be treated as rights holders whose interests are considered in every decision concerning their customary territories.
The Ateta clan said the boycott was a collective decision to protest the unresolved customary land dispute and the absence of certainty about dialogue with the company.
It called on GOKPL to demonstrate its willingness to engage by arranging a meeting, responding to its letter in writing, disclosing relevant documents and resolving the compensation dispute through a transparent process.
The clan also urged the local government and relevant authorities to help facilitate a resolution.
It said it would continue community consolidation and peaceful action while respecting the safety of community members and workers, as well as applicable laws.
The Ateta clan cited several legal instruments supporting its position, including Teluk Bintuni Regency Regional Regulation No, 1 of 2019 on the Recognition and Protection of Indigenous Customary Law Communities in Teluk Bintuni Regency.
It also referred to Teluk Bintuni Regent’s Decree No. 100.3.3.2/011.2 on the Recognition and Protection of the Ateta Clan as an Indigenous Customary Law Community of the Sumuri people, and Teluk Bintuni Regent Regulation No, 15 of 2023 on Indigenous Customary Land and its Use for Development in Teluk Bintuni Regency.
Based on these grounds, the clan outlined its demands:
- Condemn GOKPL management’s failure to meet with Ateta clan representatives and a member of the West Papua People’s Representative Council.
- Ensure the use of customary land respects Indigenous rights and applicable laws.
- Boycott all GOKPL activities on Ateta customary land for the company’s access road and gas wells.
- Demand that Genting Oil immediately cease activities on and use of Ateta customary land.
- Call on the Sumuri Indigenous community, customary institutions, the MRPB and local government to work together to uphold Indigenous communities’ authority over their customary territories.
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