Mimika, Central Papua – A terrible tragedy occurred in Alama District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province, on Monday, August 5 2024, at around 10.00 WIT.
Head of the Cartenz-2024 Peace Ops Public Relations Task Force, Police Commissioner. Dr. Bayu Suseno, S.H., S.I.K., M.M., M.H., in his statement said that the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) took hostage and murdered the helicopter pilot belonging to PT. Intan Angkasa Air Service, Mr. Glen Malcolm Conning (50 years old), New Zealander. Apart from that, KKB also burned the IWN type helicopter, MD.500 ER PK.
“The eyewitness to this incident was Geoffrey Foster, who is a New Zealand pilot,” said Police Commissioner. Dr. Bayu Suseno.
The witness stated that the chronology of the incident began when the witness flew from Timika to Alama District, Mimika Regency.
“When the witness arrived around Alama airport, the witness saw an IWN type helicopter, MD.500 ER PK., had landed on the runway and its propellers were no longer turning. “The witness then circled the helicopter to a distance of approximately 1000 feet above the ground, then descended to land next to the helicopter.” concluded Police Commissioner. Dr. Bayu Suseno.
He continued, When the witness landed about 10 feet away, the witness saw bags scattered and the pilot slumped in the chair with blood all over his body. Seeing this, the witness immediately took off again and did not land. After moving away from the airport area, the witness saw a large group of people gathered in front of the hospital under construction.
Police Commissioner. Dr. Bayu Suseno again conveyed that, according to information received from PT. Intan Angkasa Air Service, owner of the IWN type helicopter, MD.500 ER PK which was piloted by the victim Pilot Mr. Glen Malcolm Conning, there were six passengers consisting of 4 adults (health workers), 1 baby and 1 child. The names of the passengers are:
- Koraliak Gwijangge (Adult)
- Demianus Pakage (Adult)
- Naomi Kambu (Adult)
- Hasmaya (Adult)
- Ferni (Child)
- Hafidan (Child)
“The condition of all passengers is safe and have returned to their homes in Alama District, Mimika Regency,” explained the Head of the Public Relations Task Force.
Police Commissioner. Dr. Bayu Suseno added that currently the TNI-Polri and the Mimika Police have made efforts to enforce the law and pursue the KKB which carried out the hostage-taking and shooting of the pilot.
“We will continue to carry out law enforcement efforts against KKB who disrupt social security and order in the jurisdiction of the Papua Regional Police,” concluded Bayu.
