Mahfud Supports The Use Of The Church Approach To Free Pilot Philip

Susi Air Pilots Philip Mark Mehrtens with Egianus Kogoya and his charming KKB members. (ANTARA/HO-Personal Documents)

JAKARTA - Former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD supports the government's efforts to use the church approach to free pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens, who is still held hostage by an armed criminal group (KKB).

"For the Papua region, it might be more effective if it is done with a church approach," Mahfud said as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, February 29.

Mahfud said all efforts that could be made to save human life needed to be made.

Therefore, Mahfud said he supported the efforts made by the government, especially the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto.

"So far, various efforts have been made by the government. We support the measurable steps that will be taken by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto," he said.

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

"They are three figures from the origin (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 when met at the PP Muhammadiyah office, Menteng, Central Jakarta, Wednesday (28/2).

The church approach was chosen because the majority of citizens in Papua embraced 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.

Various exemption efforts have been carried out by the government and security forces, one of which is through a persuasive approach made by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.