PALMOILMAGAZINE, MERAUKE — The sun had barely risen when a convoy of vehicles made its way to the South Papua Governor’s Office in Merauke. Inside were community leaders from nine clans of Selil Village, Ulilin District, carrying a long-held dream: the establishment of a 4,600-hectare oil palm plasma plantation to secure a better future.
Friday, May 2, 2025, marked a historic milestone. South Papua Governor Apolo Safanpo welcomed the customary leaders and members of the Inggyash Ghuzi Cooperative, who were accompanied by representatives from PT Bina Papua Luhurkarya—the official facilitator for the plantation development.
Ricard Nosai Koula, Chairman of the Inggyash Ghuzi Cooperative and a leader of the Koula clan, opened the meeting with a voice filled with both determination and emotion. “Our community has waited a long time for this moment. Today, we bring with us the hope that development of the plasma plantation can finally begin. This is more than a plantation—it’s our children’s future,” he told the Governor and attending officials.
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Joined by representatives of the Koula, Maikuin, Gakwin, Basikwin, Doikuin, Mahuze, Kaize, Basik-Basik, and Mahuze Milafo clans, Ricard explained that the vision had been nearly a decade in the making. Now, with PT Papua Agro Lestari committing 20% of its concession land for the community’s plasma plantation, that vision is closer to reality.
Isak Takoi Mahuze, the cooperative’s vice-chair, emphasized the urgency of finalizing the land-use rights (HGU). “We’ve waited almost 10 years. We respectfully ask the Ministry of ATR/BPN to expedite approval so we can start planting—and start building our future,” he said.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Louis Walter Maikuin and Marten Mbem Kaize. They believe the plasma plantation will be a stepping stone toward economic independence for the indigenous community. “We want our children to go to school, to become educated. And we know that can only happen if our family economy improves,” said Louis softly.
Governor Apolo Safanpo responded with sincere appreciation and firm commitment. Joined by officials from the plantation and cooperative departments, he affirmed the provincial government’s full support for the project.
“This is a prime example of community initiative—forming a cooperative and demanding their rightful share. Every palm oil company is legally required to allocate 20% of their land for community plasma. If they don’t, they are breaking the law,” he stated firmly.
Governor Apolo added that the cooperative’s efforts align with national priorities outlined in Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2025 on establishing “Merah Putih Village Cooperatives.” He called the initiative part of President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita vision, which seeks to achieve grassroots economic sovereignty.
“The government will promote the creation of similar cooperatives across villages. We want indigenous communities to be active participants, not just bystanders, in the nation’s development,” he concluded.
That day, the nine clans of Ulilin didn’t go home with empty promises. They returned with renewed hope, tangible support, and a shared resolve—by planting oil palm, they are sowing the seeds of prosperity for the next generation. (P2)
