By : Dika Samba )*
The Free Papua Organization (OPM) continues to destroy the unity and unity of society, this group wants to liberate its territory which clearly Papua is an integral part of the Republic of Indonesia. One of OPM’s actions that is still ongoing is the taking of the Susi Air pilot hostage.
Since the incident occurred, Indonesian security forces, consisting of the TNI (Indonesian National Army) and Polri (Indonesian Republic Police), have continued to try to free the pilot. These efforts involve various strategies, ranging from military operations to peace negotiations.
Head of the TNI Information Center Major General TNI Nugraha Gumilar said that the TNI had never given up trying to free Philips Mark Mehrtens, a New Zealand pilot who had been held hostage by the Free Papua Organization (OPM) in Papua since February 2023. The release of the Philips pilot could not be done in a short time because there were Various factors were considered, including field conditions in Papua.
OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom said that OPM would release Philips in a negotiation process facilitated by the United Nations (UN) and it was also said that Philips would be released if the Indonesian government and New Zealand government complied with OPM’s demands.
Military operations are one of the steps taken by the government to deal with this situation. Joint troops from the TNI and Polri were deployed to the area to conduct searches and search for the group suspected of holding the Susi Air pilot. This operation was carried out with great care considering Papua’s difficult geographical conditions and the presence of civilians around the conflict area.
Apart from military operations, negotiation efforts were also carried out as an alternative to rescue the pilot. The Indonesian government is involving various parties, including community leaders and local religious leaders, to try to open lines of communication with separatist groups. The goal is to reach a peaceful solution that can end the hostage situation without bloodshed.
This incident also attracted international attention. Several countries and international organizations offered assistance for mediation and logistical support in the rescue efforts. The Indonesian government welcomes this support, but continues to emphasize that national sovereignty and security are top priorities.
The Indonesian government has taken various paths to free Philips, most of them using a humanist approach. Indonesian Vice President Ma’ruf Amin and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in New Zealand on February 27 2024, both agreed that Philips’ release must use a persuasive approach.
The Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ma’ruf Amin, said that the Indonesian government was committed to seeking the immediate release of the pilot. The top priority in the effort is the safety of captain Philip Mehrtens. One of the persuasive approaches taken by Indonesia involves figures from churches in the Papua region.
Local communities around the conflict area also felt the impact of this incident. Military operations and the tensions that occur affect their daily lives. Several residents were forced to flee to safer places to avoid clashes. Apart from that, local economic activities were also disrupted due to security instability in the region.
Head of the TNI Information Center, Major General TNI Nugraha Gumilar, said that the release of the Susi Air pilot could not be carried out in a short time because there were several factors to be considered, one of which was the conditions on the ground. His party continues to negotiate with OPM.
Papua is known for its very difficult terrain. Dense forests, high mountains and large rivers are the main challenges for security forces in carrying out rescue operations. Apart from that, often erratic weather conditions add to difficulties in movement and logistics.
This hostage-taking incident highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach in dealing with the conflict in Papua. Apart from military efforts and negotiations, the government also needs to pay attention to the root of the problems that trigger tensions in the region. Increasing prosperity and infrastructure development are the keys to creating long-term stability.
The development of infrastructure such as roads, bridges and health facilities in Papua is very important to improve the quality of life of local people. With adequate infrastructure, access to education and health services can be improved, so that people’s welfare will increase. This is expected to reduce dissatisfaction which often triggers conflict.
Dialogue involving all parties, including the government, separatist groups and civil society, is essential to achieving reconciliation. An inclusive and participatory approach can help find fair and sustainable solutions for all parties involved. With dialogue, it is hoped that the conflict can be resolved peacefully and hostage situations like this will not happen again in the future.
Efforts to free Susi Air pilots who are being held hostage in Papua are a major challenge for the Indonesian security forces. Difficult terrain, the guerrilla strategy of separatist groups, and the need for a peaceful solution are factors that make this operation very complex. However, with a combination of military operations, negotiations, international support and comprehensive development efforts, it is hoped that the pilot can be released and stability in Papua can be restored. The Indonesian government needs to continue to strive to find long-term solutions that can bring peace and prosperity to all Papuan people.
)* Papuan students live in Yogyakarta