Jayapura – The Papua gubernatorial election re-vote (PSU), held on August 6, 2025, proceeded safely and smoothly, culminating in the announcement on August 22 that the O2 candidate pair, Mari Yo, had won the contest.
However, rival candidate pair BTM–CK (O1) has refused to accept the result and filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court (MK). Meanwhile, misinformation has begun circulating on social media, including a hoax labeling the winning candidate as a so-called “Type X Governor.”
Chair of the Papua People’s Assembly (MRP) Special Committee on Regional Elections, Izaak R. Hikoyabi, condemned the smear campaign.
“This is not political criticism — it is a personal attack. I want to be clear: such justification cannot be tolerated,” Hikoyabi said.
He urged supporters and campaign teams not to use narratives that target individuals, stressing that such acts may violate Indonesia’s Information and Electronic Transactions Law (UU ITE) and fall under defamation.
“There is no such thing as a ‘Type X Governor.’ If anyone has evidence of wrongdoing, pursue it through legal channels. But stop using that label, because it is clearly character assassination,” he added.
Hikoyabi confirmed that the MRP, together with governor-elect Matius Fhakiri and deputy governor-elect Aryoko Rumaropen, will report the issue to law enforcement. “We will trace who is spreading these provocative narratives on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and other platforms. This cannot be left unchecked,” he emphasized.
He also rejected claims that Papua’s democracy is collapsing. “If democracy had truly died, the re-vote would not have been carried out so peacefully. Don’t believe narratives saying Papua’s democracy is over. In reality, all election stages were conducted safely and successfully,” Hikoyabi explained.
The MRP called on the public to await the Constitutional Court’s ruling calmly and avoid fueling new unrest. “Let us support the upcoming decision. Don’t be easily provoked by misleading issues. Continue your daily activities and keep Papua safe,” he concluded.
