Anti-rotten NGO group demands parliament support Jones’ deportation

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Detik.com – June 8, 2004
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International Crisis Group director Sydney Jones (upenn)
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International Crisis Group director Sydney Jones (upenn)
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Anton Aliabbas, Jakarta – Sydney Jones’ expulsion has created a controversy in its own right in Indonesia. Although there are many who have defended her, there are also however many who want the director of the International Crisis Group (ICG) to go.

On Money June 7, around 100 people demonstrated at the People’s Representative Assembly (DPR) demanding that the DPR support Jones’ deportation. They were from two groups, the Community Forum of National Saviours (Forum Komunitas Penyelamat Bangsa, FKPB) and the Alliance Against Rotten Non-government Organisations (Aliansi Anti LSM Busuk).

The 50 or so FKPB demonstrators arrived at Senayan in South Jakarta first and were joined a short time later by the Alliance Against Rotten NGOs. The action by the two groups began in front of the parliament’s gates at 10.30am.

In a speech, FKPB field coordinator Handriansyah said that Jones must be expelled because she is a provocateur who had created conflict in Indonesia. “We oppose Sydney Jones coming back to Indonesia to continue her activities which could create conflict within the nation”, said Handriansyah.

FKPB also condemned Ibrahim Ambong, the chairperson of the DPR’s Commission I, who has said he would assist Jones’ return to Indonesia. “We asked that this statement be withdrawn for the sake of the national interest. We ask the government and the DPR to review ICG’s presence in Indonesia”, he said.

As well as giving speeches, the protesters also brought posters and banners, one of which read “ICG and Sydney Jones are provocateurs”. (iy)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

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