Regent’s aide in Papua reported to police for allegedly punching AirNav officers who didn’t issue flight permit due to bad weather

Nabire regent Isaias Douw. Photo: nabire.net
Nabire regent Isaias Douw. Photo: nabire.net

This is the exact opposite of how you should repay people who look after your well being.

On Tuesday afternoon, Isaias Douw, regent of Nabire in Papua, was due to fly on a chartered helicopter from the regency’s airport. However, due to unfavorable weather conditions at the time, two AirNav officers, Hadianto and Anton Rumaropen denied the flight request due to safety concerns.

Isaias’ aide, identified by his initials AR, was allegedly angered by this and punched both Hadianto and Anton.

The local police are now investigating the incident. Both Hadianto and Anton have undergone medical examinations as evidence that the attack took place, but the police have not yet questioned AR as he is currently still on an official trip with Isaias.

The police did not say if there are suspicions that Isaias himself ordered the attack on the AirNav officers. But surely, if Isaias didn’t condone the attack, he should have relieved AR of his duties by now so that the aide can be questioned by authorities.

There have been numerous incidents in the past in which Indonesian public officials have acted with a certain sense of… entitlement when it comes to flying.

Last year, Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Minister Marwan Jafar went on a public rant denouncing flag carrier Garuda Indonesia for being incompetent after he missed a flight because he was late. Going further back to 2013, a public official hit an air hostess after she asked him to switch off his mobile phone on board. Also that same year, a district chief ordered the closure of his hometown airport because he was upset that he couldn’t get on a flight home as it was full.



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