Inp.polri.go.id - Jayapura. Papua Regional Police Chief Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri confirmed that the Indonesian National Police (INP) Headquarters has not allocated additional budget for the release of the Susi Air pilot held hostage by the Armed Criminal Gorup (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya.
"The personnel from the Damai Cartenz Task Force are assisted by units from the police continues to use the funds allocated for the task force. There are no additional (budget)," he was quoted by antaranews.com as saying on Saturday (16/9/2023).
Efforts to secure the release of the New Zealand pilot working for Susi Air are ongoing, with negotiations involving various stakeholders, including religious leaders, the community, families, and the Nduga regency administration
Hostage Phillip Mehrtens has been held by the KKB for over seven months since the group burned the plane he was flying shortly after landing in Paro, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains on February 7, 2023.
Reports suggest that the hostages are in good condition. The general expressed hope for a peaceful resolution to this ongoing crisis, with the safe return of the hostage remaining a top priority.