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New Zealand pilot’s safe release is priority: Jokowi
The President did not elaborate how security forces would attempt to secure the release of the 37-year-old pilot.
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ore than a month after the abduction of a Susi Air pilot in Papua, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s administration is weighing its options to rescue the New Zealand national from a Papuan armed separatist group.
President Jokowi has said that the safety of pilot Phillip Mehrtens would be the top priority in any operation to release him from his current captivity by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).
Jokowi said 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 province.
“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,” Jokowi told a press briefing held on Tuesday after the launch of the Papua Youth Creative Hub in Jayapura, Papua.
The President did not elaborate how security forces would attempt to secure the release of the 37-year-old pilot. He also said the government planned to provide more security for domestic flights connecting remote areas in the Papuan region.
“Yes, we also discussed that issue during the meeting. You can get more details from the National Police chief,” Jokowi told reporters.
Earlier this month, Brig. Gen. Juinta Omboh Sembiring, the military commander in charge of the operation to free Mehrtens, said security forces were continuing to search for the pilot, adding that there would be “no negotiation with terrorists by the state”.
On March 9, Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Adm. Yudo Margono turned down an offer of assistance from the New Zealand government in securing Mehrtens’ release.
Yudo said New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia Kevin Burnett had offered assistance, “but I am still able to complete” the rescue mission.
The military has said that the rescue operation fell under general law enforcement, not the TNI, and that it would continue with persuasive methods and patience to protect civilians in the area.
The government has used prominent figures in Papua, such as politicians as well as religious and community leaders, to communicate with members of the TPNPB.
Authorities decided to allow negotiations with the rebels to continue as fears grew that the use of force in any rescue attempt would only repeat the errors of previous operations.
Nduga acting regent Namia Gwijangge and local religious and tribal leaders have been assigned as negotiators to seek the pilot’s release from his captors.
Mehrtens, a pilot with Susi Air, was captured by the TPNPB after landing in Nduga on Feb. 7. Several Indonesian passengers he had transported on the flight were temporarily taken captive, but later released.
The group led by Egianus Kogoya, which is linked to the Free Papua Movement (OPM), has demanded that Jakarta recognize Papuan independence in return for Mehrtens’ release. It has also used the ongoing hostage crisis as a way to internationalize its cause.
In late February, Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Mahfud M.D. said that security forces had found where the group was holding Mehrtens, but were exercising restraint while negotiations for his release continued and refraining from taking any actions that might endanger his life.
