Papua police spokesperson Sr. Comr. I Gede Sumerta Jaya said on Wednesday that a team had been dispatched to look for the missing surveyors. The team had conducted search operations three times, as yet without success.
In a group of 18 people, Diah and Ipsan were assigned to carry out a survey in southern areas. Meanwhile, another group of 10 people led by Didik Sukamto were conducting a survey in northern areas. On Feb.6, the surveyors set off to these locations and were scheduled to arrive in Muting on Feb.9.
“After conducting the survey in the southern areas, according to information we received from the company, Diah and Ipsan headed to Muting. Since then, they have been missing,” said Sumerta.
After conducting an initial search that bore no results, the other surveyors filed a report with the company about the missing duo on Feb.11.
Sumerta said the search operation was still underway and involved volunteers from various organizations, including the search and rescue team (SAR), security officers, local residents and the company itself.
PT Merauke Rayon Jaya has been granted industrial forest concessions (HTI) by the Forestry Ministry for the pulp industry on a 206,800-hectare plot of land in Papua. During 2007-2011, the company conducted land observations in Boven Digul regency. No activity took place in 2012 and this year, the company started to conduct surveys in Merauke regency. (ebf)