BIN says ICG's Jones cannot stay

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Abdul Khalik, Jakarta

State Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief A.M. Hendropriyono said security authorities might not extend the work permit of International Crisis Group (ICG) director Sidney Jones, claiming she had tarnished the country's image.

Being the coordinator of the country's intelligence authorities, Hendropriyono said he had enough reasons not to extend the permit.

"Sidney Jones is working here with a human rights watchdog and has published or sent her reports abroad for money. Not all of her reports are true," Hendropriyono said after a Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

"We are not expelling her, but actions should be taken against those who disturb the government and the people. Why should we let her stay here?"

However, Hendropriyono fell short of citing which of Jones' reports he considered inaccurate or fictitious.

He warned that the government could exercise "old measures" against the outspoken NGOs, referring to the use of violence to clamp down on government critics under the past regime.

"Since we are in a new era, we do not do that, but should we find that these people are continuing to sell out their country we may return to the old measures," he remarked.

Hendropriyono underlined that a sovereign country had the authority to take action against those who threatened national interests.

"I'm not speaking about Sidney only, but Indonesian people who sell out the country," the retired three-star general said.

"If they are reporting the truth then we will respect them, but if not of course we will have to reprimand them."

Security authorities are closely monitoring activists of around 20 NGOs in the country, including the ICG.

The Brussels-based ICG is known for its critical reports on various security issues in Indonesia, ranging from the ongoing security operation in Aceh to the existence of Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist network here.

BIN is currently gathering more data on Jones, as well as several NGOs it considers a threat to the country's image.

The BIN chief, mandated by Presidential Instruction No. 5/2002, coordinates all intelligence activities and has the authority to review foreigners' work permits.

Interim coordinating minister for political and security affairs Hari Sabarno said the country had the right to take measures against those who threatened national interests.

"We will even take actions against Indonesian nationals if they become a threat," Hari said.

Separately, National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said the police were currently gathering more incriminating evidence to charge the NGOs and their activists with provoking the people, causing public disturbance and sowing hatred against the government.

"We have received preliminary evidence from BIN and are currently following up the reports. If it is proven they have violated the law, we will take legal action against them," he said.

He said the NGOs could be banned from operating in Indonesia and its foreign representatives could be sent home.

The government's move came ahead of the presidential election which will see President Megawati Soekarnoputri running for the presidency again.

A source told The Jakarta Post that Megawati's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is trying to persuade Hendropriyono to stay cool at least until the election is over.