Deputy Home Affairs Minister Condemns Papua Plane Arson, Warns of Impact on Remote Communities

Deputy Home Affairs Minister Ribka Haluk has expressed her deepest condolences and condemned the arson attack on a PT Associated Mission Aviation (AMA) aircraft that killed pilot Nicholas F. Goselin at Balinggama airstrip in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan. “As Deputy Home Affairs Minister, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of the late captain pilot and the extended family of AMA, who are currently mourning the shooting incident in Yahukimo Regency,” Ribka said after attending the 2026 Indonesia Education Conference in Yogyakarta on Thursday (2/7). She assessed that the incident not only claimed the life of a pilot carrying out a humanitarian mission but also has the potential to disrupt pioneer flight services, which are the main access for communities in remote areas of Papua. According to her, disruption to these services will directly impact community access to education, health services, and economic activities. “There is no other way to develop Papua except by providing services to communities in outlying areas. Therefore, every action must consider the livelihood of many people. Do not let the community, especially Papuan children living in remote areas, become the victims,” Ribka stated. She specifically requested that the Papua Pegunungan Provincial Government, the Yahukimo Regency Government, all ranks of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), and security forces thoroughly investigate the incident. Ribka also urged security forces to immediately pursue the perpetrators. According to Ribka, PT AMA and other pioneer flight operators have served communities in hard-to-reach remote areas. Despite geographical challenges, limited infrastructure, and security situations, pilots continue to carry out their duties to ensure communities have access to various basic services. “If these pioneer planes that serve communities in the most remote areas are gone, who will come to serve them?” she asked. Based on reports received, the Caravan PK-RCY aircraft belonging to PT AMA was operating a pioneer flight from Wamena Airport to Balinggama airstrip on Thursday morning. Shortly after landing, the aircraft was allegedly attacked by an armed criminal group (KKB) before being set on fire. In the incident, pilot Nicholas F. Goselin was reported to have died. Ribka then invited the entire community to pray for the deceased and expressed hope that pioneer flight services in Tanah Papua would continue to operate to meet the needs of people in remote areas. “We pray that the late captain pilot finds the best place beside God Almighty. May the bereaved family be given strength and comfort. May God continue to bless AMA’s services and may they continue to be a blessing for the communities living in the most remote areas of Tanah Papua,” Ribka concluded.