Susi Air Pilot Officially Handed Over to New Zealand Government

Susi Air pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens (above) (Antara Doc)

PILOT Susi Air, Philip Mark Mehrtens, has arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, East Jakarta, at around 22.27 WIB. The Indonesian government immediately handed over the pilot to the New Zealand government.

“Just now, on behalf of the government of the Republic of Indonesia, I officially handed over Captain Pilot Philip Mehrtens to the New Zealand government,” said Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto, Saturday (21/9).

He explained that Captain Philip was handed over directly to the New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia, Kevin Burnett.

“And the handover ceremony went smoothly,” he said.

Hadi expressed his appreciation and gratitude to all parties involved in the operation to free Captain Philip, namely the TNI and Polri, community leaders, traditional leaders, and religious leaders.

He also expressed his gratitude to the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta.

Also read: Susi Air Pilot Captain Phillip Mark Has Been Brought to Jakarta by Indonesian Air Force Aircraft

“And of course, various parties who have helped in the hostage release process, namely Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens,” he said.

Hadi added that the release process was the result of hard work from all parties. Currently, Captain Philip has been handed over and is the responsibility of the New Zealand government.

“We should be grateful that the pilot Captain Philip has now been handed over to the New Zealand Ambassador and all responsibility lies with the New Zealand Ambassador,” he said. (Z-9)