PP Muhammadiyah Supports Susi Air Pilot Release Efforts With Church Leader Approach

Secretary General of PP Muhammadiyah Abdul Mu'ti at the PP Muhammadiyah office, Central Jakarta, Wednesday (28/2/2024) (ANTARA/Walda Marison)

JAKARTA - Secretary General of PP Muhammadiyah Abdul Mu'ti supports the efforts of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) in approaching the church to save pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens who was held hostage by an armed criminal group (KKB) in Papua.

"We agree with that and all peaceful approaches, peaceful approaches, which do not prioritize a military approach, I think it is more acceptable for the Papuan people," said Abdul Mu'ti when met at the PP Muhammadiyah office, Menteng, Central Jakarta, as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, February 28.

According to Abdul, this effort was appropriate because the majority of Papuans were Christians and Catholics.

With this background, the approach through religious elements, namely the church, is considered to be easier for the public to accept, especially members of the Papuan KKB who take the pilot hostage.

With this approach, continued Abdul, pilots can be saved and bloodshed in Papua can be avoided.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto with three figures from Nduga, Papua, have discussed efforts to free pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens who was held hostage by the Papuan KKB through a church approach.

"They are three figures from Nduga who also want to help, especially with a church approach that can help so that this Philip Merthens pilot can be released immediately," said Hadi.

The church approach was chosen because the majority of citizens in Papua adhere to Christianity and Catholicism. Through a church approach, his party can easily approach the carriers to free the pilot.

Hadi did not technically explain the church approach method in question. He only explained that this was just a plan that had not been realized.

"This is only the level of discussion and hopefully from there they can also take actions in the field," said Hadi.

The pilot of the Susi Air Phillip Mark Mehrtens aircraft has been taken hostage by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya since February 7, 2023 shortly after landing his plane at Paro Airport, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains.

The plane piloted by a pilot from New Zealand was then set on fire by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya.