The Christchurch pilot being held hostage by a separatist group in Papua has been described by a former co-worker as a “quiet and serious” man who is fluent in Bahasa.
The pilot, identified by Reuters as Captain Philip Mehrtens, was taken hostage on Tuesday night while flying a plane for Susi Air carrying five passengers, including a baby, from Mozes Kilangin Airport in Mimika, Central Papua, to Paro Airport in Nduga.
The area is a highly militarised district with a long history of insurgency in the newly named Highland Papua province, a Papua police spokesman said.
The friend and former colleague who wishes not to be named told the Herald Mehrtens was fairly quiet and serious.
Mehrtens is married to a woman of Indonesian descent and had been living in her home country for quite some time.
“This would be beneficial for him in this situation.”
“There is a high percentage of expats working at Susi Air. It is one of the better companies in Indonesia and they look after their pilots,” the former colleague said.
“I am sure they would be doing their best to help Phil.”
In a tweet yesterday, Susi Air Founder Susi Pudjiastuti asked for support and prayed for the pilot’s safety.
When he worked for the airline he was warier of the terrain than of the local resistance group in Papua, he said.
“Of late, the younger generation is more violent.
“In my opinion, they won’t harm him, they are just trying to get their story out. My concern is about the Indonesian military. When they would go in full force that might cause Phil harm than the separatist group.”
Diplomatic efforts are underway to try to secure his release.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) is providing consular support to the pilot’s family and said it wouldn’t comment further because of privacy reasons.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said he had been given preliminary details and told RNZ the New Zealand embassy in Indonesia was on the case.
Local authorities were investigating and police and military personnel had been sent to the area to find the pilot and five passengers.
“If Jakarta is obstinate, then pilot will be executed to death,” Sambom said.
“Later we from the Management of the TPNPB-OPM Central Headquarters will monitor.”
Sambom demanded accountability from Western governments, including New Zealand, for their co-operation with “the military regime in Jakarta”.
MFAT says on its website that it works with the Indonesian defence force through activities such as joint officer training, non-combat training, humanitarian operations and at regional forums.
“New Zealand enjoys a strong relationship with Indonesia. As Pacific neighbours, with complementary economies, we are natural partners,” the ministry said.
“Indonesia is an important partner for New Zealand in combatting transnational organised crime, including terrorism, people smuggling and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.”
West Papua is the name for the western portion of the island of New Guinea.
Sambom earlier told the Australian the group had released the five passengers on the flight before setting the plane on fire.
“We want to convey that we have taken this pilot hostage and brought it to the TPNPB headquarters which is far from the airfield area,” he said, warning police and military not to carry out reprisal sweeps or make civilian arrests in the area.
“This pilot is a citizen of New Zealand. TPNPB considers New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, America, Europe, all are responsible.”
The Susi Air plane landed safely early on Tuesday morning before it was attacked by rebel fighters.
Sambom said the fighters, led by group commander Egianus Kogeya, set fire to the plane and seized its pilot.
-With Reuters
