American journalist deported from Aceh

Nani Afrida ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Banda Aceh   |  Wed, 03/12/2008 11:55 AM  |  The Archipelago

An American freelance journalist believed to be linked with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) has been deported from Aceh after attempting to enter the province on Feb. 8.

It marks the fifth deportation for 50-year-old Willian Nessen since he was first barred from entering the once-restive province in 2003.

Nessen's latest deportation followed a two-day stay in Banda Aceh at the invitation of Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf.

Nessen questioned his deportation, saying he came to Aceh at the governor's invitation.

"I am here at the invitation of Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf, and I will accept any decision made by Irwandi," he said at the Medan city airport, North Sumatra, moments before his deportation.

Nessen was barred from entering Aceh following his release from a Banda Aceh prison in 2003. He was jailed by the former military government after allegedly being found at a GAM hideout in the province.

During a previous visit to the province, he produced a documentary film Black Road portraying GAM's struggle against the Indonesian Military.

"I came here to help Irwandi and the Aceh economic recovery, and they react like there's still a war here," Nessen told The Jakarta Post.

He said he had come to Aceh to encourage sugar imports from India and to export betel nuts to New Delhi.

Governor Irwandi said he regretted the central government's decision to deport Nessen.

"It is a strong slap from the central government," he said.

He said he had invited the American to visit the province after personally checking Nessen's status at the local immigration office and finding him to be no longer prohibited from entering the country.

Head of the local immigration office Septiawan said Nessen's deportation was justified by an extension of the initial prohibition to the end of February 2008.

He also said he had not known of the extension at the time of Nessen's arrival, which was why he had not put the American's name on the black list at immigration.

"We received the letter on Nessen's black listing from the central government on Saturday night and Nessen came in on Saturday morning," he said, adding that Nessen stayed in the city for two days before his repatriation through Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

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Tolak Voa (not verified) — Sun, 07/20/2008 - 9:30pm

Indonesia immigration law is still in infant stage and believe me it will take long, long time to make it workable. Not even for Foreigner to come to Indonesia difficult but among Indonesian's state workers also very confusing. In the case of Willian Nessen invited by Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf, the Governor is powerless to keep Nessen stay. Yes, Foreigners must respect local law but the government must view and study each its case. Immigration's law is very complicated even USA is still working on it. I am hoping this case would not going to higher level of USA government because if it is it will jeopardize Indonesian people who live illegally in USA.

Borsa — Wed, 04/30/2008 - 8:12am

The Indonesian government's policy of barring foreign journalists from entering Aceh against Aceh Governor's will demonstrates its lack of commitment to Aceh's autonomy. It also shows RI is still far from a democratic country.

Philippe Borsa,
Nouméa, New Caledonia

Judhi Hariwibowo — Mon, 04/21/2008 - 6:05pm

It is ashamed that many of our fellow country man were working & staying illegally at the USA teritory. We should be carefull to say that US immigration allows illegal worker and migrant to stay without limit. These illegal immigrant should be prosecuted according to US law and deported from US border.

Anyone who would enter Indonesian border should also have a formal visa according to their purpose of visit. Visa on arrival policy is only valid for tourist visitor, social visit and short business trip. Visitor to Indonesia should respect the Indonesian Immigration law, eventhough somebody who was invited by local governor or member of parliament. Any country in the world has its right to declined any visa application and deport the unwanted person, because of security reason.

Judhi Hariwibowo
Hamilton - New Zealand

Soemarwoto, K (not verified) — Sun, 04/13/2008 - 8:21pm

In response to Agung Alit and the previous reader: the American journalist might have been there illegally, but I'm not so sure that it is relevant to the reason for his deportation in this case. He was believed to be linked with a militia that attempts to break a region off our nation. Those Indonesians working illegally in the US most likely had smaller chances of being deported because they were not suspected of having the intention to support division between the states that form a nation.

The Reader (not verified) — Fri, 04/11/2008 - 8:17am

In response to Agung alit: Just because there are thousands of Indonesians living illegally in the US, it doesn't mean that we should allow anyone to enter and stay in Indonesia as they please. Every country has its own immigration policies that foreign citizens have to respect. I'm sure you know how troublesome it (and most of the times, degrading) for Indonesian citizens to enter the US (yes, different people have different experiences, but in general we would spend an extra hour having the secondary check as if we're all linked to a terrorist cell). But this is their policy, and like it or not, I respect that. Did you read today's story about the US having deported illegal immigrants from Indonesia? This shows that they do enforce the immigration policy. Same thing if you visit any other countries in the world, the rules and regulation are there to follow. So there shouldn't be any reasons for foreign nationals coming to Indonesia not to respect our own immigration policy. So it's more accurate to say shame on the Indonesian citizens who stay illegally in the US as they show no respect to the country's law and system. And shame on those foreign nationals staying illegally in Indonesia (and more so, to Indonesians who think that these illegal visitors should be allowed to stay here).

And last but not least, who says that foreigners are forbidden to own a business here? If anything, we are 'kind' enough to let them own our important resources.

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