6 Nov 2006

Police in Indonesia's Papua province warn against raising separatist flag at leader's funeral

5:53 am on 6 November 2006

Police in Indonesia's Papua province are on high alert over the planned funeral of separatist leader Willem Zonggonau who died in Australia last month.

The Antara news agency says his body is lying in state in Jayapura and his relatives have yet to decide if he will be buried in Jayapura or in his hometown in Enarotali.

The Jayapura City Police chief Roberth Joensoe says he has about 200 police officers on stand-by.

Mr Zonggonau, a Papua New Guinea citizen, had lived in self-imposed exile for 37 years, seeking diplomatic support for Papua independence.

Chief Joensoe says he has told Mr Zonggonau's supporters not to raise the Free Papua Movement flag or security authorities will take action against them.

He says if his coffin is draped in the Free Papua Movement flag his relatives will have to bear the consequences.