Timika – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized that the government will continue to negotiate to free Susi Air pilot Philips Makr Methertens (37) who was held hostage by KKB led by Egianus Kogoya.
Jokowi said the government had prepared various efforts to release the Susi Air pilot.
“We will continue to try, negotiate. In fact, we did a lot of things there but I cannot disclose them here,” said Jokowi at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Monday (3/7/2023).
Previously, the Papua Police Chief Inspector General Pol Mathius Fakhiri stated that he was ready to fulfill the KKB’s request led by Egianus Kogoya that the Susi Air pilot was hostage, except for independence and weapons. It is impossible to grant both requests.
“It is impossible for us to grant both requests, but the money requested will be prepared and handed over to Egianus Kogoya, the origin of the New Zealand hostage being released and handed over to security forces,” said Papua Police Chief Inspector General Pol. Fakhiri in Jayapura, Thursday.
Admittedly, currently negotiations are still being carried out involving various parties including the Egianus Kogoya family. Through negotiations involving his family, it is hoped that Egianus Kogoya will surrender his captives who have been held hostage since February 7.
When asked about the threat from Egianus and his group that they would shoot their hostages, the Regional Police Chief hoped that this would not be done because it would have a far-reaching impact.
“We hope that Egianus will not carry out his threat, namely shooting the Susi Air pilot on July 1,” said Fahiri while expressing his hope that his family could help convince him not to execute his captives.
