Sidney Jones
of International Crisis Group
was refused entry
to Indonesia.
She lived in Jakarta
for 13 years,
researching militant Islam
getting important information
from Muslim prisoners.
She wrote a detailed report
on the threat
posed by Jemaah Islamiah (JI)
2 months before
the Bali 2002 bombings.
Such experience
and indepth knowledge
that Time magazine
voted her Asia Hero 2005.
Yet,
she was expelled
from Indonesia
because
she knows too much.
I love Indonesia
as a country
and
as a people.
But I have to say,
the Indonesians
have this amazing ability
to live in a constant state
of denial.
Like an ostrich
burying his head
in the ground,
and hoping
the problem
will go away.
Expelling Sidney Jones
from Indonesia
will not help you
solve terrorism.
She meant well
and she can only help.
But Indonesia
does not want
any help.
It annoys them
that others
know their problems
very well.
