TEMPO.CO, Jayapura, Papua - Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri stated that Susi Air's pilot New Zealander Phillip Mehrtens, held captive by the Egianus Kogoya-led armed group members since February 7, was reportedly in good health.

According to reports, Mehrtens was in good health though he was still worried about the kidnapped New Zealander's health condition, Fakhiri stated in Jayapura, the capital of Papua Province, on Friday, September 15, 2023.

Regarding efforts to release him, Fakhiri noted that the Indonesian authorities continue the endeavors by laying emphasis on negotiations and involving elements from local communities, relatives, and the Nduga administration.

Negotiations still continue to prevent various parties from falling victims to violence, he affirmed while urging Egianus Kogoya for the immediate release of Mehrtens to help locals resume peaceful and normal lives.

Phillip Mehrtens was a pilot of Indonesian airline Susi Air when he was held captive shortly after the Egianus Kogoya-led armed group members set his aircraft on fire in Nduga District on February 7.

With regard to this case, Indonesia's Foreign Ministry and the New Zealand Government continue to communicate on efforts to free Mehrtens, according to the ministry's Director General of Public Information and Diplomacy Teuku Faizasyah.

Speaking in Padang, West Sumatra, on August 21, Faizasyah did not deny that freeing the New Zealand pilot would not be an easy task and would take time.

However, the most important thing is that the communication between the two countries continues, he said.

"I, myself, and the New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia meet every two weeks," he stated.

At the routine meeting, the ministry and the ambassador shared information, including consular facilitation.

In other words, the Indonesian Government has continued attempts to save Mehrtens from the armed group. At the same time, efforts to free the pilot are hopefully also made known to all parties, he added.

On the day he departed for Australia to attend the 2023 Annual Leaders Meeting on July 3, President Joko Widodo highlighted Indonesia's endeavors to free Mehrtens.

"We will keep trying and negotiating," Jokowi told reporters at the Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport last July.

ANTARA

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