Indonesia Ensures Stability in Papua Following the Killing of New Zealand Pilot

Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Hadi Tjahjanto, has assured that the Indonesian government is committed to maintaining stability in Papua following the killing of New Zealand pilot Glen Malcolm Conning, 50, by an armed separatist group.

“The government, through its security forces, will take all necessary measures in accordance with established procedures and legal frameworks to ensure the situation remains stable in the interest of national security,” Hadi stated in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Hadi further emphasized that legal proceedings concerning this violent act will continue, aiming to provide security and justice for the people of Papua.

Currently, security forces are tracking down the armed group responsible for the killing, which is believed to have fled to the Nduga region in the Papua Highlands.

The incident occurred on Monday, August 5th, when the group kidnapped and killed Glen Malcolm Conning, a helicopter pilot for PT Intan Angkasa Air Service.

Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, Head of Operation Damai Cartenz 2024, confirmed that the separatist group also set fire to an IWN, MD.500 ER PK helicopter in the Alama District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province, at around 10:00 AM local time.

“It is true that there was a kidnapping and killing carried out by the armed group against Mr. Glen Malcolm Conning, a helicopter pilot for PT Intan Angkasa Air Service,” Faizal stated.

On Tuesday, August 6th, at 12:45 PM local time, Glen Malcolm Conning’s body was evacuated by a TNI Task Force Team from the Alama District to Mimika Regional General Hospital.

Lieutenant General Richard T.H. Tampubolon, Commander of Joint Regional Defense Command III, reported that six people survived the incident, including four healthcare workers and two infants.