Jayapura – The controversial issues of using separatist symbols such as the morning star flag on any accessories has become one of Governor Suebu's concerns. According to the governor, the handling of the people's use of the separatist's symbols should be dealt persuasively and not repressively.

Governor Suebu spoke to journalists at a coffee morning in the Governor's Palace on Saturday (8/3/08). He said, "for instance, if you met any elder women holding bags that have a Morning Star flag on them you should not arrest them. What we need to keep in mind is to have a symbol which is officially recognised by regional law.

The governor said that Law no 77 year 2007 is a general law and applies nationally and not exclusively for Papua and it says that any regional symbols and regional songs must not be similar to separatist's symbols. The governor added, "Solution to Papuan issues must be dealt with persuasively and not by using any repressive ways because using repression means that until the end of the world, Papuan issues never be solved".

Governor Suebu said that this was one of the results of his meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta last Tuesday (4th March).