Even 1 year since Susi Air pilot was held hostage by KKB, Papua Police Chief meets New Zealand Ambassador

Jayapura – It has been one year since the detention of pilot Philip Mark Merhtens, by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya, the New Zealand Ambassador, Kevin Jeffry Burnet, met with the Papua Police Chief.
The New Zealand Ambassador’s meeting with Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius D Fakhiri discussed the efforts that the two countries will make to speed up the pilot’s release, Wednesday (7/2/2024).
Inspector General Mathius explained that earlier we met with the Ambassador from New Zealand regarding the pilot Philip Mark Merhtens, who was brought by Egianus Kogoya’s group, who has not returned to date for one year.
In that meeting, the Regional Police Chief continued, we explained the steps that had been taken by the government, TNI-Polri officials in Tanah Papua, who were tasked with rescuing the pilot.
“We have taken various steps to the maximum. “However, we are still trying to find the pilot back safely,” he explained.
That this is hard work carried out by TNI-Polri officers assisted by all elements, including community leaders and church leaders. We will continue to do this. So we need patience from all parties.
“Hopefully in this developing time we can get good results,” he hoped.
The Regional Police Chief added, of course what is very important for us, is that the New Zealand Government still recognizes the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. So of course it also doesn’t provide support during this time.
“Therefore, of course our security forces will work optimally, gently, so that the steps and actions of the TNI-Polri officers do not have an impact on the pilots themselves. “Including people in the Nduga, Maparu and so on areas,” he stressed.