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House reminds British legislators to take hands off Papua
The House of Representatives urged the government to officially ask the United Kingdom to not interfere with affairs in Papua, Indonesiaâs easternmost province
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he House of Representatives urged the government to officially ask the United Kingdom to not interfere with affairs in Papua, Indonesia's easternmost province.
House deputy speaker Priyo Budi Santoso said that Indonesia's legislature was deeply disappointed with the British parliament, whose members supported the Separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) in Oxford.
"I think the UK has interfered too much with Indonesia's affairs. I would like to remind the UK government that they also have issues with Northern Ireland. I suppose they would not be happy if Indonesia encouraged Northern Ireland separatist sentiments. Therefore, please show some respect," Priyo said at his office on Monday.
Protests against the UK have been mounting since late last week as Oxford's mayor and a member of the UK parliament reportedly attended a ceremony to set up an OPM office in Oxford that was arranged by UK-based Papuan exile Benny Wenda.
Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa summoned British ambassador to Indonesia Mark Canning on Monday to further discuss the issue.
Meanwhile, newly elected Papua Governor Lukas Enembe is also expected to meet with House leaders today to discuss separatist sentiments in the province, particularly following the opening of the OPM office in Oxford.
