Papua Governor, Lukas Enembe – Jubi
Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Governor Lukas Enembe said the shooting and the hostage-taking of two Indonesian citizens at the border with Papua New Guinea will not hurt relations between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
“It’s not affecting the bilateral relationship between two countries,” Enembe told reporters after meeting with legislators of the national House Representatives in Jayapura on Tuesday (15/9/2015).
Enembe said the provincial government was trying to confirm whether the two Indonesians were being held hostage by unidentified persons (OTK) or was held due to a permit problem.
“Cenderawasih XVII Military Commander has informed the provincial government about two Indonesian citizens, but no confirmation whether they were being hostages or detained because of crossing the boundary,” he said.
He further explained following this incident, the partnership between Indonesia and PNG, especially with Papua Province is not changing. It’s indicated from the information issued by PNG Consulate that appealed the Indonesian citizens to temporarily not traveling to PNG.
“For instance, the Papua Provincial delegation and Persipura team that are currently should stay in Vanimo for delaying their travel due to PNG Consulate’s guidance,” he said.
The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia for Papua New Guinea in Vanimo Sandaun Province in the press release to tabloidjubi.com on Saturday (12/09/2015) stated they received information from PNG army in Vanimo, and acknowledged about two Indonesian citizens who’s taken hostages by unidentified group, and both are in good condition.
“PNG army also informed to Indonesian Consulate in Vanimo that up to now they are still attempting to release two Indonesian citizens,” Indonesian Consulate in Vanimo, Elamar Iwan Lubis, said. (Alexander Loen/rom)
