A former West Papuan independence campaigner who became an Indonesian government supporter, Franzalbert Joku, has died in Jayapura.
Mr Joku, who controversially advocated autonomy for Papua within Indonesia rather than independence, died on Sunday after an illness linked with heart disease and kidney failure.
He was formerly the spokesman for the Papua Presidium Council which galvanised momentum in the West Papuan independence struggle at the turn of the century.
After fleeing Indonesian rule in his homeland as a younger man, Mr Joku returned for good in 2008.
He frequently represented Indonesia's government at regional fora such as the Melanesian Spearhead Group and the Pacific Forum.
Franzalbert Joku visited the RNZ Pacific studio in August last year and spoke to Johnny Blades about West Papua.
Michael Manufandu, Franzalbert Joku, and Nick Messet being interviewed by RNZ Pacific’s Johnny Blades. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins
