Jayapura – Susi Air pilot Captain Philip Mark Merthens has been held hostage for a year and a month by the Papuan armed criminal group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya. The pilot from New Zealand has been held hostage since February 7 2023, after landing at the Paro airfield, Papua Mountains.
Human Rights Defender (HAM), Theo Hesegem, stated that Captain Philip’s release requires an agreement between the Indonesian government and the TPNPB. He admitted that the Indonesian government from the center to the regions had made various efforts to free the Susi Air pilot.
“The negotiation team for the release of the Susi Air pilot requires independent and trusted people appointed by the parties involved. And the party who feels disadvantaged,” said Theo to Media Indonesia, Monday, March 11 2024.
Sending proposals, lobbying, and even forming a negotiation team, even appointing individuals as persons, but to no avail. In fact, there were casualties from civilians and the TNI-Polri.
Theo stated that the appointment of a negotiation team or individuals appointed by the government in 2023 will only be from one party, namely members of the TNI-Polri, intelligence and regional government. However, this effort did not bear fruit.
In fact, the Acting Regent of Nduga often goes in and out of the forest to meet Egianus Kogoya. But TPNPB Kodap III doesn’t seem to want to discuss it with the Acting Regent.
“Why did that happen? “Perhaps because the negotiation team formed by the Indonesian government was only one-sided, without any agreement with the party taking the Susi Air pilot hostage,” he explained.
According to him, a negotiation team is needed from each party in conflict and people who have skills to complement each other and are committed to achieving a common goal. Thus, negotiations are carried out by playing an active role in bringing together opinions, to obtain mutual agreement.
“Because this agreement is a middle way that is the final result for both parties. “Therefore, what is most important in my opinion is for each party to immediately identify the people or organizations they are entrusted with, so that the negotiation process can begin,” he said.
