Flags belonging to Free Papua Organization and South Maluku Republic were hoisted on Saturday as thousands of Indonesian nationals living in the Netherlands celebrated Indonesian independence anniversary in Wassenar.

"We are telling Indonesian people and international community that Indonesian independence anniversary falls on December 27, not August 17. We do not recognize Papua's integration into Indonesia," Free West Papua coordinator R. Paphua told Antara news agency.

South Maluku Republic coordinator Frida Pasanea said Maluku had gained independence on April 25, 1950 and never been part of Indonesia since then.

"South Maluku is an independent state and has a head of state," said Frida, who works for an Islamic elementary school in Amsterdam. She accused Indonesia of discriminating against Maluku and Papuan people.

Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands Jusuf Effendi Habibie played down the raising of the separatist flags, saying the Dutch government had acknowledged the sovereignty of Indonesia over Maluku and Papua.