Anton Aprianto, Jakarta – Former Foreign Affairs Minister of Free Papua Organization (OPM), Nicholas Messet, 61, has met Vice President Jusuf Kalla and asked to become an Indonesian citizen, Thursday (20/9).

Messet, who is of Swedish citizenship, acknowledged he was concerned over the current situation in Papua. "I want to bring the light of change there," said Messet at the Vice Presidential Office.

The desire of this Papuan who is living abroad is to return to Papua in order to help in developing and advancing Papua. "There should be Rp18 trillion in funding in order to be able to build a better Papua, I'm worried about that," he said Messet.

Regarding the request, Kalla will follow it up to the State Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Andi Matalatta. "The Vice President will help in taking care of Papuan people abroad who also want to return to Papua," said Messet.

He claimed that more than 1,000 Papuans abroad want to be Indonesians. "The Vice President will also help in terms of security protection, especially former OPM members who will come back to Papua," he said.

In 1969, Messet left Indonesia via Papua New Guinea and studied to be a pilot in Australia. According to latest reports, Messet became a Swedish citizen and has acknowledged he was acquainted with Hasan Tiro, the leader of Free Aceh Movement (GAM).