Vice President: Susi Air Pilot Rescue Operation Needs Calculation

JAKARTA - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said the operation to rescue Susi Air pilot Philip Mark, who was held hostage by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Papua, required calculations so that the New Zealand hostage could be saved.

"Yes, of course, the operation carried out, of course, we have to take into account that there are no victims, how (hosts) survived, so the system is not eliminated, burned to the ground," said Ma'ruf Amin as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, May 26.

He stressed that operations of the earth's system charred or attacking with full force may be easy for the authorities to carry out. However, the hostages could be victims.

"Maybe, if that's the case, it's easy; but how the operation was carried out safely, (the hostage) could be saved, but it didn't cause many casualties; and I think (the rescue) took a long time," he explained.

According to Ma'ruf Amin, currently the government and security forces have communicated with figures in Papua, including church leaders there, to help free hostages. "There is also involvement of church leaders there," said Vice President Ma'ruf Amin.