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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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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.
Agung alit (not verified) — Sat, 03/15/2008 - 8:55am
This is a story that makes me feel ashamed to be an Indonesian living in the United States. In Los Angeles, where I live, there are thousands of Indonesians living and working illegally. Everybody knows it, including the US Immigration authorities, but as they are here for peaceful purposes and contribute to the economy, a blind eye is turned to their presence. Not so in my homeland. Foreigners, apart from wealthy tourists, are hunted down and ruthlessly deported whether they contribute positively or not. We hate them because they can expose our faults. So we forbid them to own land or businesses, and we even prevent them from settling in Indonesia even if they marry and have children here. Shame on the racist cowardly bigots who monopolize government of our great nation and pollute the minds of our citizens!
Mark Austin (not verified) — Wed, 03/12/2008 - 2:37pm
Good to see Aceh is a happy integral part of the RI these days.