Jayapura, Papua — Religious, traditional, and political leaders in Papua are calling for peace ahead of the announcement of the Papua gubernatorial election re-vote (PSU) results, scheduled by the General Election Commission (KPU) for August 16, 2025.
Papuan Muslim leader Dr. H. Toni Wanggai urged religious figures to use their pulpits to spread messages of peace and unity. He criticized the August 11 demonstration in front of the Governor’s Office, saying it only heightened tensions.
Meanwhile, Rev. Petrus Binyadone, M.Th., Chair of the GKII Synod in Papua and Deputy Chair of the Papua Communion of Churches, reminded the public not to be easily provoked following the re-vote held on August 6.
Echoing the call, Albert Merauje, a member of the Papua Regional House of Representatives, emphasized the importance of maintaining unity among the wider Papuan family despite differing political choices. “Parents, children, siblings — we all remain one family regardless of our votes,” he said.
From the traditional leadership side, Yanto Eluay, Ondofolo (traditional chief) of Sentani-Jayapura, urged supporters of both gubernatorial candidates to accept and trust the process being carried out by the KPU and the Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu). “Stay calm, trust the process for the greater good,” he appealed.
