Papua – Secretary General of Muhammadiyah, Abdul Mu’ti, expressed support for the efforts of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) who adopted a church approach to rescue Susi Air pilot, Philip Mark Mehrtens, who was being held hostage by an armed criminal group (KKB ) in Papua.
“We agree with that and all peaceful approaches, non-military approaches, I think are more acceptable to the Papuan people,” said Abdul Mu’ti when interviewed at the Muhammadiyah office, Jakarta, on the evening of February 28 2024.
According to Abdul, this approach is appropriate because the majority of Papuan people are Christians and Catholics.
Against this background, an approach through religious elements, namely the church, is considered more easily accepted by the community, especially the KKB members in Papua who are holding the pilot hostage.
The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Hadi Tjahjanto, together with three figures from Nduga, Papua, have discussed efforts to free pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens who was held hostage by the Papuan KKB through a church approach.
“They, three figures from Nduga, also want to help, especially with the church’s approach which can help pilot Philip Merthens be released immediately,” said Hadi when met at the Muhammadiyah office, Jakarta.
The church approach was chosen because the majority of the population in Papua adheres to Christianity and Catholicism. Through the church’s approach, the authorities could easily communicate with the besiegers to ensure the pilot’s release. Hadi did not explain the technical details of the church’s approach but stated that it was still in the planning stage and had not yet been realized.
“This is still in the discussion stage and hopefully from there they can also take action in the field,” said Hadi. Susi Air pilot, Phillip Mark Mehrtens, has been held hostage by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya since February 7 2023, shortly after landing his plane at Paro Airport, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains.
The plane piloted by a pilot from New Zealand was then burned by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya.
