Jusuf Kalla’s Team, Juha Christensen, Said to Facilitate Release of Susi Air Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens

Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla’s team, Juha Christensen, in the midst of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) Free Papua Movement (OPM) (Jusuf Kalla media team)

Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla’s team, Juha Christensen, is said to have been involved in the release of Susi Air pilot, Philip Mark Mehrtens.

Also read: Susi Air Pilot Officially Handed Over to New Zealand Government

Based on source information Indonesian MediaJuha is Jusuf Kalla’s team for peace and humanitarian affairs.

Also read: Susi Air Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens’ Mental Health Expected to Stabilize After Release

The source added that Christensen was also the one who entered to negotiate with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) for Philip’s release.

Also read: Susi Pudjiastuti Appreciates All Parties in the Release of Susi Air Pilot

Also read: Family to Welcome Captain Philip Mark Mehrten in Jakarta

Juha Christensen has been a facilitator of several peace talks in Indonesia. Such as facilitating peace talks between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in Helsinki, 2005.

Also read: This is Philip Mark Mehrtens, Susi Air Pilot Who Was Freed After Being Held Hostage for More Than 1.5 Years

And on August 18, 2006, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono gave a number of awards to four foreign officials who had contributed to the implementation of peace between Indonesia and GAM.

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

The four foreign nationals are former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari who received the Bintang Republik Indonesia Utama award. In addition, Bintang Jasa Utama to Pieter Feith from the Netherlands and Deputy Chairman of AMM Lieutenant General Nipat Thongklek from Thailand, then Juha Christensen from Finland received the Bintang Jasa Pratama.

Also read: Nobel Peace Prize Winner Martti Ahtisaari Passes Away, Here’s His Profile

Philip Mark Mehrtens is a New Zealand pilot who has been held hostage by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya since February 7, 2023.

Also read: Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens Brought to Jakarta by Indonesian Air Force Plane

Philip was finally released on Saturday (21/9) and was picked up by the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force team in Yuguru Village, Maibarok District, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains.

After that, the Task Force flew Philip to Timika for a health check. After being declared healthy, Philip was flown from Timika to Jakarta using an Indonesian Air Force plane.

Philip has been handed over by the Indonesian Government represented by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto to the New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia Kevin Burnett representing the New Zealand Government. (X-7)