Firm warned over foreign model

JAKARTA (JP): The Immigration Directorate General of the Ministry of Justice has sternly warned cosmetic firm PT Martina Berto for illegally employing a foreign model for a television advertisement, an official said.

Immigration director for control and supervision Zaiman Nurmatias said on Thursday that employing German model Rischa Larasati Iris for a television advertisement violated immigration rules.

"Larasati's work permit only allows her to work in the firm's quality control section as stated on her temporary stay permit card. But we still see her promoting the firm's products in ads screened by SCTV and RCTI private television stations," Zaiman said.

He said his office had sent a letter dated June 25, asking the firm to stop airing the advertisement, otherwise Larasati would face deportation.

The firm earlier explained that the advertisement was still being aired because the firm had contracts that are effective until the end of the year with the two private television stations, he said.

Larasati, who holds German passport No. L.5149339, was deported on April 8 this year for overstaying and violating her work permit. She was allowed to reenter the country. (jun)