The Jakarta Post, 5/28/2004 7:50:08 PM
ICG director may be expelled from Indonesia next month
JAKARTA (AP): The head of a Belgian-based think tank in Jakarta may have to leave
next month if authorities refuse to extend her visa because of reports that were critical
of the government, the group said Friday.
Sidney Jones, project director in Jakarta for International Crisis Group, said her work
permit has not been extended because of complaints by the national intelligence
agency, which can give recommendations to the Labor Ministry regarding the
extension of work permits.
On Thursday, national intelligence chief A.M. Hendropriyono said that Jones had
published reports on Indonesia "which were not all true."
"Actions should be taken against those who ... damage the country's image," he said.
"The intelligence agency clearly stated that it feels ICG's reports damaged the
country's reputation. This is too simplistic. We feel that the reports were fair, objective
and balanced," said Todung Mulya Lubis, a lawyer and member of ICG's board for
Indonesia.
Jones will have to leave Indonesia when her visa expires on June 10, Lubis said. He
called on the officials to detail the complaints and work out a solution.
Since President Megawati Sukarnoputri took power in July 2001, her administration
has jailed a number of critics and has tacitly encouraged pro-government business
tycoons to sue journalists and media outlets that reported on official abuses.
ICG opened its office in Jakarta in 2000 and has reported on the rising threat of
Islamic militants in the world's most populous Muslim nation, separatist conflicts in
Aceh and Papua, sectarian violence in Central Sulawesi and the country's struggle to
reform its police and military.
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