Jayapura- Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius D Fakhiri in his statement, in Jayapura July 10, 2023, confirmed Egianus Kogoya’s statement that went viral in a video. Fakhiri explained that Egianus and his group never asked for a ransom of Rp 5 billion to free Susi Air Pilot, Captain Philips Mark Marthenz.
The Papua Police Chief also said that when he was in Timika, he invited the Nduga Regent, the Chairman of the DPRD, and the Nduga Police Chief to discuss the release of the pilot.
During the meeting, Fakhiri said that if the group needed money, the government would provide it, but the amount should not exceed Rp 5 billion. Fakhiri emphasized that Egianus and his group never asked for money.
Police Chief Fakhiri also mentioned that the former Nduga Regent, Namia Gwijangge, had taken steps to free the Susi Air pilot, but there was no significant progress. Namia even met with President Jokowi, but until now there has been no bright spot regarding the release.
In a meeting with President Jokowi, Fakhiri revealed that the President asked TNI and Polri to resolve the Susi Air Pilot hostage case properly.
“The President also requested that the TNI and Polri continue to build good communication and avoid further violence,” he said.
Previously, Susi Air Pilot Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens was held hostage by Egianus Kogoya since February 7 after the burning of Susi Air aircraft by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) at Paro Airport, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains.
