TWO Pertamina trucks pulled to a stop at Kilometer 129 on the Nibire-Paniai Trans highway Papua's central highlands. Lying ahead was a winding and rocky climb. Pouring rain from Thursday night two weeks ago made the road more slippery and muddy.

The first truck tried to drive up the roughly 25-degree slope. The deafening sound of the engine broke the silence of the night as the truck sped forward in a futile attempt at the slope before it skidded