Sabtu 26 Jan 2013 23:25 WIB

Hundreds of Papua separatists change allegiance

Red: Yeyen Rostiyani
Papuan children (illustration)
Foto: Antara/Zabur Karuru
Papuan children (illustration)

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAYAPURA - At least 212 members of the Papua separatist, OPM, have pledged to forgo the idea of establishing a free Papua state saying they want to be part of Indonesia.

The group leader Daniel Kogoya made the statement pledging allegiance to the Indonesian unitary state in front of the chief of the Cenderawasih Military Command Maj. Gen. Christian Zebua, and regional authorities at Skouw, a town in the border area with Papua New Guinea yesterday. 

Marking his move, Daniel Kogoya, who claimed to be one of OPM chiefs, handed over three weapons he had used as separatist fighter. General Christian Zebua said he hopes more OPM members hiding mainly in the border areas would follow the lead by Daniel to develop Papua.

"Let us work together to develop Papua. We will welcome any OPM members wanting to join the unitary state," he said.