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Susi Air dismisses claim pilot has ties to separatist group
Susi told a press conference that she knew Philip Mehrtens personally and that there was nothing to suggest he had ties to the organization.
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The minister of marine affairs and fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti during the interview with The Jakarta Post at Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries on Wednesday, September 19, 2018. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)
S
usi Air owner and CEO Susi Pudjiastuti rejected a claim on Wednesday that the New Zealand pilot being held hostage by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) was part of the separatist group.
Susi told a press conference that she knew Philip Mehrtens personally and that there was nothing to suggest he had ties to the organization.
"That's so not true, that Philip is with the separatist group. There's no such a thing [...]. I personally know the family of his wife," Susi said, as quoted by the Antara news service.
Separatist rebels kidnapped Mehrtens, 37, after he landed a small plane in the remote regency of Nduga in the Papuan Highlands on Feb. 7.
The Indonesian Military (TNI) has not launched a military operation to free the New Zealander. Instead, a team of hostage negotiators has been dispatched.
Mehrtens, whom Susi said she considered one of her airline's best pilots, joined the company in 2013, before leaving in 2015 and rejoining in 2020.
On Tuesday, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD said security forces had located the group holding the pilot but would refrain from actions that could endanger his life.
