Preventing Susi Air Pilot Cases From Repeating, Jokowi Instructs TNI-Polri To Guard Aircraft To Development In Papua

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) instructed the TNI-Polri to always accompany flight crews who are active in conflict-prone areas in Papua. The goal is to prevent another hostage-taking by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB).

"Pilots that bring logistics to Nduga to Wamena, up to Puncak, all of them must be escorted by the TNI/Polri for security," Jokowi told reporters, Saturday, September 21.

Not only that, Jokowi also asked the TNI-Polri to guard all infrastructure development in Papua. For example, road construction to bridges.

"So that everything went well and there were no more hostage-taking incidents," he said.

Jokowi previously said that the release of Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens was the result of a long negotiation process.

Because, in the rescue mission, the top priority is the safety of Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens.

Although, in an effort to obtain it, it took up to a year and a half.

"So what we prioritize is the safety of the pilots who are held hostage until the long process that has been carried out by the TNI/Polri is very good, I really appreciate it," he said.

For information, Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens has been held hostage by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya since February 7, 2023. Various efforts have been made to release him.

Until finally, Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens was released today. The release was after the Cartenz 2024 Peace Task Force negotiated with the KKB.