Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto said that the negotiation process in an effort to free Susi Air Pilot, Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens, who was held hostage by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Papua involved many parties ranging from community leaders to churches.
He added that the release process was very long and was being monitored all the time.
“This very long negotiation process was carried out by the TNI-Polri task force which continuously monitored developments in the Nduga region from time to time, from day to day, and we are grateful that what we wanted in the field could run well,” said Hadi, Saturday (21/9).
However, Hadi did not detail the negotiation process that was carried out. According to him, the negotiation process that lasted 19 months went well. He was grateful for the components involved in completing the task.
“I need to convey that the involvement of traditional leaders, the involvement of community leaders, the involvement of the church, all greatly influenced this liberation process,” said Hadi.
“Imagine that we have been negotiating for 1 year and 7 months and thank God, our task force team and assisted by all components have been able to complete this task well,” he said.
Also read: Susi Air Pilot Captain Phillip Mark Has Been Brought to Jakarta by Indonesian Air Force Aircraft
It is known that Susi Air Pilot, 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.
Also read: Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens Brought to Jakarta by Indonesian Air Force Plane
“And the handover ceremony went smoothly,” he said.
On the other hand, the United Development Party (PPP) said that Philip’s release should be a momentum for the government to protect the Papuan people.
PPP believes that the country must not be defeated by the KKB and is ready if there is something that is detrimental to the nation. (Fik/Ykb/P-3)
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