Jayapura – The New Zealand government is coordinating with the TNI-Polri regarding the release of Susi Air Pilot, Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens. The pilot had been held hostage by the Papuan armed criminal group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya for a year in Nduga Regency, Papua Mountain Province.
On Tuesday, 27 February 2024, New Zealand Police Attache, Paul Laurence Borell, met face to face with security forces in Mimika to monitor the progress of Captain Philip’s release. The day before, they also visited the Papua Regional Police to discuss the same matter regarding the release of their citizens.
Papua Regional Police Chief Inspector General Mathius D. Fakhiri, when met in Timika, Central Papua, said that the New Zealand Government fully entrusted the TNI-Polri apparatus to free Captain Philip.
“I have spoken and discussed the release of the Susi Air pilot with the New Zealand Ambassador. Basically, they entrusted the security forces in Indonesia to work,” said Fakhiri, Saturday (2/3/2024).
The Regional Police Chief revealed that he had conveyed to the New Zealand Government that in its efforts to free the Susi Air pilot, his party did not need a third party.
“I and the Cenderawasih Military Commander have said that there is no need to use third parties who want to take advantage of the issue of an independent Papua. The government will continue to make every effort to free the Susi Air pilot,” he said.
The Regional Police Chief emphasized that security forces, the government as well as community leaders and religious leaders would take a persuasive approach to free pilot Captain Philip.