DJOKO TJANDRA NOT AFFECTED

Lawyers of Indonesian tycoon and alleged fugitive Djoko Tjandra says the cancellation of his passport does not affect his right as a Papua New Guinean citizen, while confirming instructions to challenge a government decision that scrapped his citizenship.

Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Rimbink Pato had cancelled Tjandra's passport a fortnight ago on three grounds.

The reasons for the cancellation was that he was being chased by Indonesian authorities, that he was involved in activities that have or will cause serious damage to PNG national security, and that he was suspected of giving false and misleading statements to obtain a PNG passport. 

Henao Lawyers who are representing Tjandra, who is now known as Joe Chan denies that a warrant of arrest is out for him, and that Minister Pato did not give adequate fact to support his other two allegations against Chan. 

Lawyer Loani Henao says Chan remains a PNG citizen and is entitled to enjoy the rights and privileges as any other citizen provided by the Constitution, and is not affected by the cancellation. 

Chan has written to the Prime Minister through his lawyers, to appoint a committee of three ministers to review Minister Pato's decision. 

Chan says he is happy to be a citizen of a resource-rich country, and will use his international connections to invest heavily in the country.