2) Indonesia recovers body of New Zealand helicopter pilot killed in Papua attack
3) Ministry sends journalists to Papua to expand outlook on region
4) Central Papua governor asks KPU to educate locals about voting
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1) 'Our hearts are broken': Family of helicopter pilot Glen Conning, killed in Papua, speak out
9:08 pm on 6 August 2024
The family of the New Zealand helicopter pilot who was killed in the Indonesian region of Papua say he was the most caring and loving husband and dad.
Glen Malcolm Conning, 50, was killed by a pro-independence group known as Free Papua Organisation (OPM) when rebels rounded up those on board the helicopter, including four passengers, after they landed in an isolated area in the Central Papua province. The passengers are reported to be safe.
In a statement released on Tuesday by Natasha Conning on behalf of his family, they say he is truly loved by his family and friends, who he cherished spending time with when he wasn't flying or being in the outdoors.
"Our hearts are broken from this devastating loss."
They say they appreciate the love and support they have received, but ask for privacy at this time.
The Alumni at St Peter's School in Cambridge said Conning was an active sportsperson.
The St Peter's Alumni posted their condolences on their Facebook page.
"Glen attended St. Peter's from 1988-91. He was Head of Broadhurst House in 1990 and was a very active sportsman," the post said.
It said Conning captained the under 65kg side in 1989 and went on to play in the First XV.
"We send our greatest condolences to Glen's family and friends."
Conning was shuttling passengers for a private company.
A spokesperson for the police special operation in Papua, Bayu Suseno, claimed his body was taken to the helicopter and then burned along with the aircraft in Alama District, which can only by accessed by helicopter.
OPM spokesman Sambom told the BBC that despite being unable to verify the claims, "if it was true, then the pilot is a spy because we have declared that the area is a war zone”.
In February 2023, separatist fighters in Indonesia's Papua region took another New Zealand pilot hostage. Phillip Mehrtens, 37, was captured shortly after landing his plane in the remote mountainous area of Nduga to drop off passengers.
Since then, Mehrtens has been held captive by West Papua National Liberation Army fighters (TPNPB) - the armed wing of the OPM - who also attacked a number of Indonesian troops sent to rescue him, killing at least one.
These hostile acts come in the context of a long-running, often brutally violent conflict between the Indonesian government and West Papua's indigenous people.
Papuan rebels have been seeking independence from Indonesia for decades, and have previously issued threats and attacked aircraft which they believe are carrying personnel and supplies for Jakarta, the country's capital.
The region is divided into six provinces and is separate from independent Papua New Guinea.
Previously a Dutch colony, West Papua declared independence in 1961. However, Indonesia took over two years later and was formally given control in a UN-supervised vote in 1969.
The UN vote is widely considered illegitimate as only about 1,000 Papuans took part in it. A pro-independence movement began shortly afterwards, which continues to this day.
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2) Indonesia recovers body of New Zealand helicopter pilot killed in Papua attack
Indonesian security forces have recovered the body of New Zealand pilot who was killed in an alleged separatist attack in Indonesia’s restive Papua region
ByALFIAN KARTONO Associated Press
August 7, 2024, 1:33 AM
Indonesian security forces on Tuesday recovered the body of a New Zealand pilot who was killed in an alleged separatist attack in the restive Papua region, officials said.
Glen Malcolm Conning, a helicopter pilot for Indonesian aviation company PT Intan Angkasa Air Service, was shot dead on Monday by gunmen allegedly with the West Papua Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement, shortly after landing in Alama, a remote district in the Mimika regency of Central Papua province.
The attackers released all six passengers, including two health workers and two children, said Bayu Suseno, the spokesperson of the Cartenz Peace Taskforce, the joint security force set up by the Indonesian government to deal with separatist groups in Papua.
“We suspect that the armed group that shot the pilot was from Nduga district, led by Egianus Kogoya,” Suseno said in a video statement. He described the group as the most dangerous and very active in disturbing the security around Timika, a town that feeds the Grasberg mine which is nearly half owned by U.S.-based Freeport-McMoRan and is run by PT Freeport Indonesia.
“This group is our main target to arrest this year,” Suseno said.
In February 2023, Kogoya, a regional commander in the Free Papua Movement, abducted Philip Mark Mehrtens, a pilot from Christchurch who was working for Indonesian aviation company Susi Air.
Kogoya and his troops stormed a single-engine plane shortly after it landed on a small runway in a mountainous village. He said they wouldn't release Mehrtens unless Indonesia agrees to Papua becoming a sovereign country.
A year and a half later, Mehrtens remains a captive of the rebels.
Security forces found the body of Conning on Tuesday inside his helicopter that was still parked on a small runway in Alama, in a mountainous district that can be reached only by small aircraft, said Lt. Gen. Richard Tampubolon, the Chief of the Joint Regional Command of Papua. He said bad weather conditions halted their search and evacuation operation on Monday.
The rescue operation on Tuesday also evacuated about 13 people, mostly teachers and health workers from Alama, who were traumatized by the incident and fear of their safety.
Tampubolon said the body of the pilot was flown to a hospital in Timika for an autopsy before being returned to his family.
“A preliminary medical examination showed gunshot wounds and slashes from sharp weapons on his body,” Tampubolon said. “We strongly condemned this inhumane killing of a pilot who had made many contributions in providing humanitarian services to remote communities in Papua.”
West Papua Liberation Army spokesperson Sebby Sambom said in a voice message to The Associated Press on Monday that they had designated the area as a restricted zone where civilian aircraft were prohibited from landing. He blamed the pilot for disregarding their warnings.
The kidnapping and killing reflects the deteriorating security situation in Papua, Indonesia’s easternmost region and a former Dutch colony in the western part of New Guinea that is ethnically and culturally distinct from much of Indonesia.
Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969, after a U.N.-sponsored ballot that was widely seen as a sham. Since then, a low-level insurgency has simmered in the region, which was divided into six provinces.
Flying is the only practical way to access many areas in the mountainous easternmost provinces of Papua and West Papua
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3) Ministry sends journalists to Papua to expand outlook on region
- August 6, 2024 21:56 GMT+700
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Communication and Informatics Ministry has sent eight journalists from Jakarta on a visit to Papua to expand their views regarding the region and help them cover it better.
Agus Triyono, an official from the ministry's Directorate General of Information and Public Communication, said that participating journalists are expected to cover Papua in a more positive light after the visit.
"Hence, residents can understand the tourism, economy, infrastructure, politics, and security development in Papua thoroughly," he explained here on Tuesday.
He said he expects that after the visit, journalists will be more prudent in reporting news about Papua and avoid blowing up negative news, which has minimal effect in the region.
Triyono informed that during their visit to Jayapura, his team took the eight journalists to a dialogue with ANTARA News Agency's Papua bureau and Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) Jayapura, as well as a public dialogue on citizen journalism.
He said he also expects ANTARA News Agency to play a greater role in disseminating information amid technological advancements.
Meanwhile, Aldiro Syahrian, a journalist for Pikiran Rakyat daily, said that he is keen to observe social life and the development in Papua through the lens of a journalist.
"We cannot deny there are stereotypes that Papua is far more disadvantaged than other regions in Indonesia, which remains one of our major 'homework,'" he added.
Syahrian said that after the visit to Papua, he will emphasize in his news reports that Papua is no longer disadvantaged as locals can now reap the benefits of development promoted by the government.
Moreover, the head of ANTARA News Agency's Papua bureau, Hendrina Dian Kandipi, commended the ministry's initiative to send journalists to Papua to help them expand their knowledge of conditions in the easternmost part of the country.
"We expect more journalists will come to Papua, so they will convey a better perception (about the region) through their reports," Kandipi remarked.
Related news: Minister Setiadi urges journalists to support development of Papua
Related news: TNI officers hosts study activity for Central Papua children
Agus Triyono, an official from the ministry's Directorate General of Information and Public Communication, said that participating journalists are expected to cover Papua in a more positive light after the visit.
"Hence, residents can understand the tourism, economy, infrastructure, politics, and security development in Papua thoroughly," he explained here on Tuesday.
He said he expects that after the visit, journalists will be more prudent in reporting news about Papua and avoid blowing up negative news, which has minimal effect in the region.
Triyono informed that during their visit to Jayapura, his team took the eight journalists to a dialogue with ANTARA News Agency's Papua bureau and Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) Jayapura, as well as a public dialogue on citizen journalism.
He said he also expects ANTARA News Agency to play a greater role in disseminating information amid technological advancements.
Meanwhile, Aldiro Syahrian, a journalist for Pikiran Rakyat daily, said that he is keen to observe social life and the development in Papua through the lens of a journalist.
"We cannot deny there are stereotypes that Papua is far more disadvantaged than other regions in Indonesia, which remains one of our major 'homework,'" he added.
Syahrian said that after the visit to Papua, he will emphasize in his news reports that Papua is no longer disadvantaged as locals can now reap the benefits of development promoted by the government.
Moreover, the head of ANTARA News Agency's Papua bureau, Hendrina Dian Kandipi, commended the ministry's initiative to send journalists to Papua to help them expand their knowledge of conditions in the easternmost part of the country.
"We expect more journalists will come to Papua, so they will convey a better perception (about the region) through their reports," Kandipi remarked.
Related news: Minister Setiadi urges journalists to support development of Papua
Related news: TNI officers hosts study activity for Central Papua children
Translator: Ardiles Leloltery, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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4) Central Papua governor asks KPU to educate locals about voting
- August 6, 2024 19:49 GMT+700
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Acting Governor of Central Papua Ribka Haluk has asked the General Elections Commission (KPU) to educate people living in remote areas about voting procedures to increase their understanding and awareness about elections.
"The public must get sufficient information about the stages and procedures of voting," she said in a press release issued here on Tuesday.
An educational activity for voters in Central Papua must be carried out so that all sections of the community can actively supervise the implementation of the regional head elections (Pilkada), she added.
Her side also invited all Central Papuan people to actively participate in and monitor the election process.
"The Pilkada is one of the democratic system's main pillars where the people have the opportunity to elect their leaders. Therefore, careful preparation and good coordination among all parties are needed," she said.
In addition, Haluk asked all stakeholders to ensure the readiness of all facilities, infrastructure, and preparations to support Pilkada implementation in Central Papua.
"Must ensure the infrastructure and logistics needed for Pilkada, such as the ballots, voting equipment readiness, and the security of polling stations," she said.
She also asked security personnel to increase vigilance and conduct measures to prevent potential conflicts during the regional election implementation, which will be held throughout the country on November 27, 2024.
Earlier, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin expressed the hope that all people in Papua would help keep the political situation calm and peaceful before and during the 2024 Pilkada.
"One of the important agendas this year is the 2024 General Election that has been held. In less than six months, we will hold the simultaneous regional election," the VP said on June 4.
Related news: Prabowo, Gibran score landslide victory in South Papua
Related news: Asmat KPU to use helicopters to send election logistics
Translator: Qadri P, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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