Susi Aircraft Has Been Sabotaged: Real Actions To Solve The Papuan KKB Problem Don't Have A Visit

Egianus Kogoya, dedengkot KKB Papua in the Nduga Regency area who took the Susi Air plane at Paro Airport on February 7, 2023. (Special)

JAKARTA The sabotage act of the Susi Air plane by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Nduga, Papua on February 7, 2023, according to the Co-Founder Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISESS) Khairul Fahmi, further emphasized that the security of vital objects, especially airports in Papua, is indeed very fragile.

This is because this is not the first time this has happened. In January 1996, the KKB on behalf of the Free Papua Organization (OPM) led by Kelly Kwalik took a number of researchers who were members of the Lorentz 95 Expedition in Mapenduma Village, Tiom District, Jaya Wijaya.

At that time, Danjen Kopassus, Brigadier General Prabowo Subianto, in May 1996 immediately led the operation to release 26 hostages. Heavy fighting occurred that resulted in the death of a number of people from both the OPM and Kopassus, including two hostages.

In March 2021, dozens of long-barreled gunmen also took the Susi Air plane hostage at Wangbe airport, Puncak Regency for two hours. Although there were no fatalities, this action is clearly a form of terror.

Likewise, with the current Susi Air plane, pilots and five passengers are still being held hostage by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) led by Egianus Kogoya.

"Undeniably, this is a weakness that must be evaluated immediately. Airport is access to people and goods, security should have been tightened, both perimeter security, airport security, and flight security," Khairul told VOI on February 7, 2023.

More importantly, the government must take serious steps to overcome the KKB problem in Papua. So far, said Khairul, there has been no concrete solution.

"The approach is always changing, from hard switching to softer and dialogical, then now prioritizing the welfare approach, through economic development, infrastructure, and others. It turns out that it has not become an accurate recipe for solving Papua's problems," said Khairul.

According to Khairul, the government's welfare approach, including through regional expansion efforts, has not had a positive impact on society.

If you look at previous examples, the expansion is not always directly proportional to improving welfare. In areas that are relatively quiet with conflicts, it is not necessarily successful, especially in areas prone to conflict," said Khairul.

Because, basically, rebellion in society occurs because of dissatisfaction, generally with regard to social and economic problems. They feel they are not treated fairly like other provinces.

"So, it is better to prioritize equitable distribution of basic services. Both from the health sector, education, and providing a good living for the Papuan people," he said.

Even better, all these approaches go hand in hand. Do not approach dialogical and welfare then undermine a strong approach. The TNI and Polri, continued Khairul, still have to carry out their functions as beaters in Papua

"You have to keep your face fierce, take firm action against all violations of security and order, don't be told to smile to embrace it. After smiling too much, the KKB is even repeated. For the part that smiles, just involve other ministries or institutions," he said.

In his official statement, TPNPB OPM Kodap III Ndugama-Derakma admitted that he had burned a Susi Air plane with the registration number PK BVY at the Paris district airport, Nduga Regency, Papua on February 7, 2023 at around 06:26 WIT.

They also took the passenger and pilot of the known plane named Philip Merthens, a New Zealander.

"The gang we have taken hostage and we are taking it out, for that members of the Indonesian National Police are not allowed to shoot or interrogation any illegal civilian community, because our TPNPB OPM Kodap III Ndugama-Derakma under the leadership of Pangima Brigadier General Egianus Kogoya," wrote Egianus Kogoya on February 7, 2023.

TNPB will not release hostages unless the Republic of Indonesia recognizes Papua's independence.

"From now on, we TPNPB Kodap III Ndugama-Derrakma have started to continue the war until Papua is independent," continued Egianus.

"From now on there will be no more construction on Ndugama land. If there is development in Ndugama, what else in the displaced districts, then we will clean up. We TPNPB do it according to the attitude of the military decision," said Egianus asserted.

Military and terrorism observer from the University of Indonesia, Ridwan Habib asked the government, especially the TNI and Polri, to immediately create a special team to release hostages. Can take the Special Operations Command (Koopsus) troops or empower troops in Papua.

"I think this is a dangerous signal or alarm that the government must take seriously, including alerting diplomatic efforts so that this case does not spread to international-scale incidents because it involves foreign national pilots," Ridwan told VOI on February 7, 2023.

Susi Pudjiastuti, founder of Susi Air in her tweet on February 7, 2023, asked for prayers and community support.

With all humility and in the name of humanity. We ask for the safety of the pilot and passenger PK BVY, the owner of Susi Air tweeted on her Twitter account.