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| Southeast Asia |
| Sidney Jones Facing Expulsion from Indonesia |
| 2004-05-26 |
| May 26, 2004 11:56 PM This is real bad news -- youâd think the Bali and Jakarta bombings, provocations in Ambon and Sulawesi, etc., would have shown that appeasement is not a good way to deal with the islamofascists. Unfortunately, it is the modus operandi of dealing with "religious" tensions in Indonesia. If I do say so myself, I think a good description of the general Indonesian cultural and political climate was addressed right here on a prior Rantburg thread. EFL Laksamana.Net - The International Crisis Group (ICG) fears the Indonesian government is preparing to expel its Jakarta-based director Sidney Jones, who is widely regarded as the foremost expert on terrorism and human rights abuses in the country. In a statement issued Wednesday (26/5/04), the Brussels-based ICG said the Manpower Ministry had several weeks ago refused to renew the work permits of Jones and her colleagues following a "complaint". Since then their office has ceased to function. * * *Seeking an explanation for the governmentâs refusal to extend her work visa, Jones was told by the Manpower Ministry it had received a complaint but it could not say what it was about or who had made it. * * *Who complained is not that hard to figure out. Jones has been blunt about the islamofascist plans for Indonesia, and has not been shy about naming names. However, this is a service she provides, not a harm. I think the overwhelming concern to ânever upset the apple cartâ attitude of dealing with social problems in Indonesia has been identified by the islamofascists and is now being exploited against the government. The government has, likewise, often withheld work visas from Christian missionaries when the islamofascists, or general Muslims, complain too loudly. The decision not to renew her visa has raised fears of a crackdown on independent reporting on Indonesiaâs trouble spots. But the governments fear of "muka merah" (red face), and desire to save face is being used against it. The government was widely criticized in December 2001 for refusing to extend the work permit of award-winning Age correspondent Lindsay Murdoch after authorities objected to his reports on human rights abuses in Aceh and Timor. ICG President Gareth Evans, a former foreign minister of Australia, said he had complete confidence in the competence and integrity of Jones, adding Indonesiaâs reputation would be damaged if the ICG is expelled. Following is the ICG statement on the Indonesian governmentâs accusations against Jones. * * *ICG Responds to Expulsion Threat in Indonesia Jakarta/Brussels, 26 May 2004: The International Crisis Group learned from the Indonesia media this morning that serious accusations were made against its Jakarta-based director, Sidney Jones, in a meeting yesterday between the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) and Commission I, the committee of the Indonesian Parliament responsible for security affairs. In response to a question earlier today, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda reportedly told journalists and political party activists that ICGâs reports were biased, and that the government had the right to expel whomever it chose. * * *"If General Hendropriyono, the Foreign Minister, or anyone else have complaints about our work, we will be only too happy to answer them fully and directly. I think the Indonesian government should take into account that if we are expelled from Indonesia, this will do far more damage to Indonesiaâs reputation than ICGâs." If you want to comment to the Indonesian government, you can e-mail the Indonesian embassy at this address: Information@embassyofindonesia.org Still, please, bear in mind that âsaving faceâ is critical to social and political relations throughout Asia -- as is the idea of not rocking the boat. A very short, polite comment that expelling Jones will only help islamofascists and hurt Indonesia will go much, much, much further than an explosive rant that makes you feel better. Remember what Mom said, âyouâll catch more with honey than with vinegar.â |
| Posted by:cingold |