East Timorese on Java demand residency

SEMARANG: About 250 East Timorese people who are currently sheltered here demanded on Wednesday that the local administration treat them as residents of the province.

"We need certainty about our status as this is a requirement to obtain Indonesian nationality," coordinator of East Timorese People in Central Java, Adelio Anjos, said after meeting with deputy governor Mulyadi Widodo here.

The government has asked East Timorese fleeing last year's violence to choose whether to stay in Indonesia or return home.

Many of East Timorese here are working or studying on the island.

Deputy governor Mulyadi promised to settle the matter properly. (har/edt)