Papuans holding foreign citizenship resume status as Indonesians

Two Papuan indigenes -- Franzalbert Joku and Nicholas Simion who were formerly Papua New Guinean and Swedish citizens repectively -- have officially resumed their status as Indonesian nationals, it was reported here Sunday.

Franzalbert Joku and Nicholas Simion regained the status of Indonesian citizenship after their proposals on the matter were approved by the Indonesian government through the decree of the Law and Human Rights Minister on November 29, 2007.

The function highlighting the return of the two Papuans to the Unitary State of Indonesia was held in Sentani, Jayapura district, Papua province on Saturday (Feb 23).

On the occasion, Franzalbert Joku and Nicholas Simion received the documents on the decree of the Law and Human Rights Minister from Alwi Hamu, an expert staff member of Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

Franzalbert Joku and Nicholas Simion Messet have showed good examples to their Papuan brothers and sisters who are still abroad and expected to follow suit, Alwi said.

"I agree with the Papuan sons` saying -- better a shower of stones at home than a shower of gold abroad (there`s no place like home)," Alwi said.

He said the wish of the sons from Indonesia`s easternmost province to resume Indonesian citizenship after they became foreign citizens for tens of years was hailed by the Indonesdian government and people.

When they met Vice President Jusuf Kalla to express their ...