Jayapura (ANTARA News) - Eight Papua residents who have crossed the border for tens of years and took up Papua New Guidean citizenship eventually chose to return to their homeland in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) by self-reliant voluntary repatriation on Tuesday (Mar 23).
The eight people (one family) consisted of Mecky Aritahanu, Jenny Aritahanu, Joyce Aritahanu, Zeta Aritahanu, Edward Aritahanu, Joe Aritahanu, Hatiku Aritahanu, and Cina Aritahanu.
"It is true that the eight people had voluntarily repatriated from the PNG," head of the Jayapura immigration office Robert Silitonga said here Wednesday.
He also said that the eight people have already been examined and searched by the immigration at the RI-PNG border in Wutung, Skouw, Jayapura city.
The eight people wished to return to their homeland in Nabire, Papua.Robert Silitonga also said that basically the Indonesian government is always open and willing to arrange and accept the people who had crossed the border and wished to return to NKRI, such as under a government repatriation program with all the expenses paid by the government.(*)