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Papuan Special Autonomy advocate regains Indonesian nationality

Posted at 02:00 on 25 February, 2008 UTC

A Papuan advocate of special autonomy and former Papua New Guinea citizen has officially resumed his status as an Indonesian national.

The Antara news agency reports that Franzalbert Joku’s citizenship was approved by Indonesia’s Law and Human Rights Minister.

Mr Joku has been the spokesman for both the PNG-based Papua Presidium Council, and the Independent Group Supporting the Autonomous Region of Papua within the Republic of Indonesia.

Having lived outside of his native Papua for much of the past 40 years, Mr Joku has called for Papuans to work within the framework of special autonomy and not towards self-determination.

A function was held at the weekend in Jayapura to welcome the return of Mr Joku, as well as another Papuan, Nicholas Simion Messet.

An Indonesian government official described the two as a good example to other Papuans still abroad and expected to follow suit.

Mr Joku said that after observing the real conditions in Indonesia and the international political climate, he decided to return home forever.