Jokowi Calls Susi Air Pilot Safety Held By KKB As The Top Priority

Susi Air Pilot Philip Mark Mahrentens and the KKB took him hostage. (ANTARA)

JAYAPURA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that the safety of the New Zealand pilot Susi Air is a top priority in its release from armed criminal groups.

"Monday night we have an internal meeting, one of which discussed the issue," Jokowi said after inaugurating the Papua Youth Creative Hub (PYCH) building in Jayapura, quoted by ANTARA Tuesday, March 21. Recognized, pilot safety is a priority so that the release is carried out with full caution. "Please ask the TNI Commander and the National Police Chief," said President Jokowi. Meanwhile, TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono in his statement after a limited meeting, Monday night in Jayapura said TNI troops who were in Papua in order to carry out law enforcement operations to help the Police. there is no addition of troops because it remains as currently being held both organic and imported from outside Papua. "The TNI troops in addition to securing land and sea borders also carried out operations to back up the Police in the context of law enforcement," said the TNI Commander.

The KKB led by Egianus Kogoya since 7 February 2023 has held the pilot Susi Air, a New Zealand national, Philip Mark Mahrentens, hostage after landing his plane at Paro airport, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains. In addition to holding the pilot hostage, the KKB also burned a Pilatus aircraft belonging to Susi Air.