Indonesian Vice President Postpones Yahukimo Visit over Security Concerns

Jayapura: Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has postponed a planned working visit to Yahukimo District in Papua due to security concerns, a regional military commander said on Wednesday.

Commander of the XVII/Cendrawasih Regional Military Command, Major General Amrin Ibrahim, said the visit—originally scheduled for Wednesday—was delayed following intelligence assessments, field reports, and the latest security updates, which concluded that conditions on the ground were not yet safe.

Security remains the “absolute priority” for the joint task force responsible for protecting senior state officials, Amrin said, adding that the vice president was advised to postpone the trip based on security recommendations.

According to Amrin quoted from Antara, Thursday 15 January 2026, intelligence reports indicated the potential presence of groups that could disrupt stability and interfere with the smooth implementation of the visit in Yahukimo.

Despite the postponement, he stressed that the central government’s commitment to accelerating development in Yahukimo remains unchanged, and the visit will be rescheduled once conditions are deemed fully secure.

Amrin made the remarks alongside Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak and Papua Police Chief Inspector General Patrige Renwarin.
Prior to the postponement, Vice President Gibran conducted official visits to Biak in Papua and Wamena in the Papua Highlands. During his visit to Wamena, he toured the Potikelek traditional market in Jayawijaya District to observe economic activity among indigenous communities, before visiting a local senior high school.

Head of the Papua Special Autonomy Acceleration Executive Committee Veliv V. Wanggai said the market visit was intended to ensure that the livelihoods of indigenous vendors —particularly women traders— were running well and contributing to household incomes.

Wanggai added that economic development in Papua, especially in the Papua Highlands, is a key priority of the Prabowo Subianto–Gibran administration.

“Economic acceleration in Papua, particularly in the highlands, is one of the main benchmarks of the government’s quick-win programs over the next five years,” he said.

He also noted that the visit to Wamena State Senior High School was aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of the national free nutritious meals program in the region.