Foreign Ministry of Indonesia is coordinating with the Foreign Ministry of Papua New Guinea and the Indonesian Military Commander over the efforts to secure the release of the Indonesians.
Doha, Qatar (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government has condemned the abduction of two Indonesian citizens in the area bordering Papua Province and Papua New Guinea.

The Indonesian government is trying to free the hostages, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stated here on Tuesday.

"The Indonesian government is still communicating and cooperating with the Papua New Guinea authority in an effort to facilitate the release of the hostages. According to information, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter ONeill is monitoring the effort," Retno remarked.

Retno noted that her institution is coordinating with the Foreign Ministry of Papua New Guinea and the Indonesian Military Commander over the efforts to secure the release of the Indonesians.

The minister affirmed that the two countries have agreed to cooperate on freeing the hostages.

The Indonesian government has also lauded the concern shown by the Papua New Guinea authority in handling the issue.

Additionally, the Indonesian consular in Vanimo, Papua New Guinea, has met the special envoy of the prime minister of Papua New Guinea.

Earlier, on Saturday, the Indonesian consulate in Vanimo, the capital of Sandaun province, Papua New Guinea, reported that two Indonesian citizens, identified as Sudirman (28) and Badar (30), had been kidnapped by unidentified individuals from the village of Skoutio in Sandaun province.

The Indonesians were kidnapped by armed men last Wednesday while conducting logging operations in Skopro in East Arso sub-district in Kerom district, Papua, which borders Papua New Guinea, and can be reached by undertaking a three-hour walk from Skoutio.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan noted last Monday that the kidnapping incident in Papua New Guinea was not a political issue.

According to Luhut, the Indonesian government and Papua New Guinea authority are still negotiating with the armed men to release the hostages.

"To date, there was no talk about a ransom or an operation to free the hostages. The Indonesian and Papua New Guinea governments are still conducting negotiations, so let us just wait for the results," he affirmed.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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