The Age, 14 January 2003

Upholding the law in Indonesia

        Damien Kingsbury's article on the sentencing of Lesley McCulloch in Indonesia (The Age, 1/1) is grossly misleading: McCulloch was tried not because she is a researcher but for violating her tourist visa to work in Aceh. In an attempt to defend the indefensible, McCulloch was also known to submit false information.

        In this era of reform, we are determined to go "by the book" to restore law and order in Indonesia. Instead of asking us to circumvent the law, I urge all quarters to help Indonesia uphold the law.

Imron Cotan
Acting Ambassador
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
Canberra

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Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, Canberra - Australia