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New Zealand pilot's safe release is priority: Jokowi
Jokowi said that military officials were carefully weighing their options on how to secure the release of Mehrtens, more than a month after the New Zealander was abducted shortly after landing at an airstrip in Nduga, Papua Highlands.
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President Joko “Jokowi“ Widodo (center) speaks to reporters as in the background Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, National Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Budi Gunawan and presidential chief of staff Moeldoko look on during an event in Papua on March 21, 2023. (The Jakarta Post/Presidential Palace/YouTube)
P
resident Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said on Tuesday that the safety of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens would be the top priority in any operation to release the hostage currently being held by a Papuan separatist group.
Jokowi said that military officials were carefully weighing their options on how to secure the release of Mehrtens, more than a month after the New Zealander was abducted shortly after landing at an airstrip in Nduga, Papua Highlands.
"Last night we had an internal meeting and the most important thing is that we will be very careful and the safety of the pilot will be the primary consideration," said Jokowi in a press briefing held after the launch of the Papua Youth Creative Hub in Jayapura, Papua, on Tuesday.
Jokowi did not elaborate on how the security forces would attempt to secure the release of Mehrtens.
The President also said that the government planned to provide more security for domestic flights connecting remote areas in the Papua region.
"Yes, we also discussed that issue during the meeting. You can get more details from the National Police chief," Jokowi said.
Earlier this month, Brig. Gen. JO Sembiring, the military commander in charge of operations to release Mehrtens said the authorities were continuing to search for the pilot and that there would be "no negotiation with terrorists by the state".
