Enarotali, Jubi – Egianus Kogoya, one of the leaders of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has denied that he demanded a ransom of Rp 5 billion (US$ 329,000) for the release of Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens. Kogoya made this statement in a video received by Jubi on Saturday, July 8, 2023.
According to Kogoya, he never approached Indonesia or anyone else for Rp 5 billion. He urged people not to believe the media reports from Indonesia because he never asked for money, he stated in the video.
The joint forces of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police has been trying to rescue Philip Mark Mehrtens after he was held hostage by the TPNPB group led by Egianus Kogoya. The incident took place on February 7, 2023, in Nduga Regency, where Kogoya’s group seized the Susi Air plane piloted by Mehrtens and subsequently set it on fire.
Some security officials claimed that Kogoya had demanded a ransom of Rp 5 billion. However, Kogoya firmly stated that he never made any ransom demands for the release of the New Zealand pilot.
Kogoya requested that everyone disregard the narrative suggesting he asked for ransom money. He clarified that he held Philip Mark Mehrtens hostage to strengthen the political position of the Papuan people, who are advocating for independence.
“I want to make it clear that I am holding the pilot as a means to achieve an independent Papua. We will not accept Rp 5 billion. Once Papua becomes independent, we will release the pilot,” he said.
Kogoya also accused the media of spreading false news. “It’s absurd to claim that I asked for money. The Indonesian media has distorted the facts. I did not ask for money; I captured the pilot to seek independence,” he stated. (*)
Jayapura, Jubi – Jayapura will once again host the sixth edition of the PapuaFilm Festival (FFP VI), scheduled to take place from August 7-9, 2023. The festival’s central theme, “Dari Kampung Kitong Cerita” (From Our Village, We Tell Our Stories), was determined by the Papuan Voices committee.
During a press conference at the Papuan Voices Secretariat in Waena, Jayapura City, Iren Fatagur, chairman of the festival, revealed that the festival would focus on various smaller themes, including food, social change, history and identity, local wisdom, women and children, and the negative impact of land grabbing.
The festival will encompass two main components: film screenings and workshops. The workshops will explore different approaches utilized by filmmakers, particularly in the form of documentary films. Additionally, participants will gain insights into the documentary cycle, covering aspects such as expedition design and film duration.
Harun Rumbarar, head of the Papuan Voices, explained that the initial plan was to hold the sixth Papua Film Festival in Wamena following the Papuan Voices 2022 Congress in Biak. However, due to certain circumstances and prevailing conditions in Wamena, the decision was made to relocate the festival back to Jayapura.
This year’s festival aims to shed light on simpler yet significant issues, focusing on cultural situations and societal matters, highlighting stories from various villages.
Unlike previous editions, FFP VI will not feature a competition but will instead showcase a selection of documentary films produced by Papuan Voices. The films will be screened and followed by discussions to gather responses and insights from the audience, assessing each film’s potential and strengths.
“This year it’s more about telling the content and essence of the stories directly. The Papuan Voices seeks to engage and empower local filmmakers, fostering storytelling capacities within the community,” Rumambar said.
Based on the information received in Jakarta on Tuesday, Amin, who concurrently serves as head of the Papua Special Autonomy Development Acceleration Steering Committee (BP3OKP), is set to visit the provinces of Central Papua, West Papua, and Southwest Papua.
Accompanied by Second Lady Wury Ma'ruf Amin and the entourage, the VP departed from the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, on Tuesday at 10 a.m. local time onboard the Indonesian Defense Forces' Boeing 737-400 Presidential Special Aircraft.
"The vice president would like to ensure that development in Papua goes as planned," Vice President's spokesperson, Masduki Baidlowi, noted in a statement.
During his visit in Papua, VP Amin is scheduled to partake in several inspection and inauguration activities.
During the first two days of the visit, Amin will make trips to the districts of Timika and Nabire in Central Papua. In Timika, the VP will symbolically hand over membership of the National Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS) to native Papuans as well as inspect cataracts and cleft lip surgeries.
Meanwhile, in Nabire, Amin will officiate the location identified for the development of Central Papua Province's Government Office Area by laying the first stone and planting a tree. In addition, he is scheduled to hold a discussion with local farmers.
On the third day, the VP will head to Fak-Fak District, West Papua, to lay the first stone for the construction of the Ma'ruf Amin Green Open Space Garden and also conduct a review of the district's priority projects and featured products.
Later, Amin will inspect strategic projects in West Papua's Teluk Bintuni and Manokwari districts before departing for Southwest Papua Province's capital city, Sorong.
In Sorong, he is scheduled to hold a hearing session with Acting Governor of Southwest Papua Muhammad Musa'ad as well as local traditional and community figures and also lay the first stone for development of the province's government facilities and infrastructures center.
On Monday, after visiting Sorong City, Vice President Amin will return to Jakarta.
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