Indonesia Highlights: Indonesian Teen Hostage Released by Abu Sayyaf Militants in Joint Rescue Operation | Indonesian Badminton Team Return Home after All England Open Exclusion | Halim Airport in Jak

KOMPAS.com – Following last week’s rescue of three Indonesian nationals who were being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf terror group, the Philippine authorities managed to rescue an Indonesian teen in a gun battle with the group.

A 14-year-old teen identified as MK was rescued by the authorities in a joint operation on Sunday, March 21.

The Indonesian badminton team returns home on Sunday, March 21, after the Covid-19 nasal swab tests showed negative results during the All England Open.

The team was forced to withdraw from the prestigious tournament after British health authorities on Wednesday instructed them to carry out 10-day isolation as a passenger traveling on-board with the team's flight tested positive for Covid-19.

Below are excerpts from the stories in Indonesia, curated by Kompas.com editors:

Indonesian Teen Hostage Released by Abu Sayyaf Militants in Joint Rescue Operation

An Indonesian teenager identified as MK was rescued by Philippine Authorities in a joint operation against militants from the Abu Sayyaf group, which is linked with Islamic State extremists, in Kalupag Island on Sunday, March 21.

“Following the previous rescue of three Indonesian nationals who were being held hostage by Abu Sayyaf group on Thursday, March 18, another Indonesian identified as MK has been rescued in Kalupag Island on Sunday, March 21,” said a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.

During the joint operation, the authorities have cornered the militant group through a gun battle. The 14-year-old teen was rescued by the authorities when the Abu Sayyaf group was trying to run away.

Following the rescue, representatives from the Indonesian government in the Philippines then visited MK.

“The Indonesian Consulate in Davao through the military personnel at the border crossing station in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi have met and checked the well-being of the boy, who is in good health,” the statement said.

A total of four hostages have been released. They all will be taken to Zamboanga before being flown to Manila.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Indonesian Embassy in Manila and the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao City will coordinate with the Philippine government for the repatriation process to Indonesia.

“The Indonesian government expresses its appreciation for a good cooperation with the government and the Philippine law enforcement apparatus,” the statement said.

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/03/21/18434101/pemuda-wni-yang-disandera-abu-sayyaf-dibebaskan.

Indonesian Badminton Team Return Home after All England Open Exclusion

AFP/OLI SCARFF Indonesia's Praveen Jordan (L) playing with Indonesia's Melati Daeva Oktavianti stumbles as they play against Thailand's Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai during their All England Open Badminton Championships mixed doubles final match in Birmingham, central England, on March 15, 2020. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

The Indonesian badminton team returns home on Sunday, March 21, after the Covid-19 nasal swab tests showed negative results during the All England Open.

The Red and White Squad conducted the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests on Friday as a requirement for returning home.

The team was forced to withdraw from the prestigious tournament after British health authorities on Wednesday instructed them to carry out 10-day isolation as a passenger traveling on-board with the team's flight tested positive for Covid-19.

Facilitated independently by the Indonesian Embassy in London, the tests were administered by the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) doctor. The sample was then taken to a laboratory in Birmingham and the results showed that the entire Indonesian shuttlers and officials tested negative for Covid-19.

"Good News! The results of the Indonesian squad PCR test in Birmingham stated that the entire team tested negative for Covid-19," said a statement from Badminton Indonesia.

The Indonesian team will depart London today at 5.40 pm local time by Turkish Airlines flight TK1972 via Istanbul. After a two-hour transit in Istanbul, they will continue the journey to Jakarta by Turkish Airlines flight TK56.

The shuttlers and officials are scheduled to arrive in Jakarta Monday, March 23 at 6 pm local time.

Based on the Indonesian government regulations, once they arrive in the country the team will undergo a five-day quarantine at the Grand Mercure Hotel.

Source: https://go.kompas.com/read/2021/03/21/140619074/indonesian-badminton-team-return-home-after-all-england-open-exclusion.

Halim Airport in Jakarta Temporarily Closed after Cargo Plane Skids Off Runway

KOMPAS.COM/DHIAS SUWANDI A file photo of a Trigana Air cargo plane skids off in Sentani Airport in Jayapura, Papua dated February 25, 2020.

Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta has been temporarily closed after a 737-500 Trigana Air cargo plane skidded off a runway on Saturday, March 20.

The airport will remain closed for civilian flights for 24 hours until Sunday, March 21. Hence, all commercial flights from and to Halim are diverted to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport near Jakarta. This includes five flights from Batik Air and two flights from Citilink.

“We would like to remind all prospective passengers who will depart or arrive from and to Halim Perdanakusuma Airport today to check with the airline on flight status,” said Yado Yarismano, corporate communication vice president of state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II on Sunday, March 21.

“The runway at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport cannot be used due to blocked runway,” Yado said, adding that airport operation is in the process of moving the aircraft to the hangar area.

The Trigana Airlines-operated Boeing 737-500 with registration number PK-YSF skidded off a runway. No injuries were reported.

Following the incident, Kertajati Airport and Hussein Sastranegara Airport in West Java are also currently on standby.

Sources: https://money.kompas.com/read/2021/03/21/104007326/buntut-trigana-air-tergelincir-penerbangan-hari-ini-dialihkan-ke-soetta.

https://money.kompas.com/read/2021/03/20/151151426/pesawat-kargo-trigana-air-tergelincir-di-bandara-halim-perdanakusuma-7.