Jayapura – Main Expert Staff of the Presidential Staff Office Theofransus Litaay said the regional government was the spearhead of the release of Susi Air pilot Philips Marthen who was held hostage by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Papua.
“The government continues to carry out negotiations, dialogue and communication with the groups holding hostages. And the spearhead is the regional government, because the regent there happens to be a traditional figure who is also respected by local residents so he has the authority to dialogue with these groups,” said Theo in a video statement received in Jakarta, Thursday (04/01).
Theo said that the government basically continues to push for the release of the Susi Air pilot to be realized.
So far, he said, the regional government, in this case the Acting Regent of Nduga, has been able to dialogue with the group of hostage takers.
“So we need to be grateful for these advances, even though they feel small, they are good developments,” he explained.
Theo hopes that in the not too distant future good results can be obtained regarding efforts to free the Susi Air pilot.
Meanwhile, regarding the presence of security forces in Papua, Theofransus expressed his presence to support the ongoing liberation process.
“Their presence certainly supports the ongoing process, but the spearhead is still the regional government. And for the Indonesian government, hostage safety is number one,” he said.
