Susi Pudjiastuti, ex-minister of Maritime Affairs and owner of Susi Air, was furious during a conversation with Pastor Karel Phil Erari and a man known as Bishop, discussing the kidnapping of Philip Mehrtens by Papua’s KKB.
Susi angered at KKB actions
At that time, Susi vented her anger because during the process of freeing the pilot through peace negotiations, the Kopassus (Indonesian Special Forces) evacuation team was shot by the KKB.
Initially, Mrs. Susi was asked by Pastor Erari to convey a message to President Jokowi to withdraw all non-organic troops in Papua.
“I asked the church leaders in the interior to act. I will accompany them, talk to Egianus Kogoya (KKB leader) so that my friends there must release Philip Mehrtens,” said Erari.
Susi immediately made an astonished statement because it was the evacuation troops who were fired upon, not the attacking troops.
“Yesterday the TNI who arrived were waiting to evacuate, not to attack the KKB. So the Kopassus team was not to attack the KKB. To evacuate, if the team has been in negotiations,” said Pudjiastuti.
“Why did they shoot at the troops who wanted to evacuate? I’m angry, Mr. Phil,” added Pudjiastuti.
Susi had helped the Papuan people for almost 20 years
Pudjiastuti then stated in the recording that she had never been malicious towards the Papuan people. In fact, he helped many residents, starting from food, medicine, to access to education. Through Susi Air as an airline serving pioneer flights in the Papua region.
“I have been flying in Papua for almost 20 years, I have helped the community. Please ask Mamit (district) to give me medicine, wash my hands, people’s wounds, Papuan children. I am angry,” added Pudjiastuti.
“If Mr. Bishop asks me, what do I want? If I order to save my own pilot, I will ask the TNI for a bomb. I bomb everything myself,” he concluded.
