Commission I Of The House Of Representatives Calls There Has Been Communication Between The Pilot Susi Air Hostage KKB And The Government

Archives. Susi Air Pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens and KKB took him hostage since 7 February 2023 in the Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains. (ANTARA/HO-Documentation)

JAKARTA - Chairman of Commission I DPR RI Meutya Hafid said the government remains committed to releasing Susi Air pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens from the armed criminal group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya in Nduga, Papua Mountains.

Meutya also hopes that the New Zealand pilot can be released peacefully.

"Hopefully there will be a bright spot, yes, earlier I also asked the government coincidentally (I) next to the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs ( Hadi Tjahjanto). He said there had been communication with the hostages and hostages with the family. Hopefully we can save it peacefully," said Meutya after attending the inauguration of the TNI Intermediate Marshal (Marsdya) Mohamad Tonny Harjono as the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force (KSAU) at the State Palace. Jakarta, Friday, April 5, was confiscated by Antara.

Regarding the obstacles faced to free pilot Philip, he considered it to depend on the carrier.

However, he stressed that the government wanted the release process to be peaceful.

"The name is a hostage, it really depends on the carrier, right. It can't be done directly and we want the approach to be peaceful. So, hopefully, if you really want to be peaceful, it's time to decide. It's been more than a year, hopefully we will convey that there will be progress," said Meutya.

For this reason, if he spoke about the target to free pilot Philip, he admitted that he could not provide further information, because the release process must be carried out carefully.

"If the target is, don't target it. Actually, this also doesn't need to be discussed much first because the process is full of caution and release is not discussed. God willing, there will still be a bright spot," he said.

He also said the DPR would continue to monitor the government to try to free pilot Philip.

"Certainly, the government will definitely keep trying and we are sure that the DPR also oversees the government to try to free the hostages," said Meutya.

It is known that pilot Philip was held hostage since February 7, 2023 shortly after landing his plane at Paro Airport, Nduga Regency.

TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto said New Zealand side supports the TNI's move to release pilot Philip.

"I really support what the TNI is doing with a soft power approach," said Agus when met at the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Office, Central Jakarta, Friday, March 15.

Agus' soft power approach is through dialogue conducted by community leaders and several regional officials to the holder, namely the armed criminal group (KKB).