Harrison Ford Upsets Indonesian Minister, Threatened With Deportation
Harrison Ford is being threatened with deportation from Indonesia. The Hollywood A-lister apparently subjected the Southeast Asian country’s forestry minister to a rude interview on climate change when he visited on Monday.
Forest Minister Zulkifli Hasan said that Ford’s “emotions were running very high” when he approached the minister during an interview in Jakarta.
“I understand the American man just came here to see Tesso Nilo (a national park on Sumatra island) and wanted violators to be caught the same day,” Mr Hasan was quoted by Antara news agency, which was first reported by the AFP.
“I was only given the opportunity to say one or two sentences during the interview,” he said, claiming that the 71-year-old actor didn’t given him a chance to explain the challenges of catching people who break the law in the rainforests in the country.
Presidential advisor Andi Arief said that Ford and his crew harassed state institutions, which could mean deportation for them from Indonesia, though they were due to leave on Tuesday anyway.
Ford’s crew came in and apparently started attacking the minister with questions when the minister thought he would be given some time to discuss the interview prior.
“There’s no privilege for him although he is a great actor,” Mr Arief said. “His crew and those who were helping him in Indonesia must be questioned to find out their motives for harassing a state institution.
“If necessary, we will deport him.”
The forest ministry in Indonesia has been accused of being a corrupt institution, apparently allowing illegal practices like deforestation and degradation of rainforests to continue.
When the “Star Wars” star met with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during his visit on Tuesday, he had been “courteous,” according to presidential spokesman Julian Pasha.
“Ford abided by the norms. The meeting was positive, and the questions were also positive.”
Ford was in Indonesia to film as part of the non-fiction series on climate change called “Years of Living Dangerously” for the U.S. network Showtime. It is understood that he had questioned Mr Hasan about why illegal logging was allowed to continue in the national park.
Associate producer Jeff Horowitz explained to mongabay.com why they shot their segment in Indonesia.
“We chose to film our story in Indonesia because of the critical challenges they face in balancing the need to protect tropical forests with the need to secure economic development.
“We appreciate the progress they’ve made so far – especially with regard to establishing several sustainable agricultural practices.”
The show is expected to be aired in April 2014.
Ford will also be seen in the upcoming sci-fi film “Ender’s Game,” which will hit theatres in Australia on December 5, and in New Zealand on December 26.