Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio got an unusual reception from the Indonesian government over the weekend for his comments on the country’s environmental record.
First, the government threatened to deport the star for his “provocative” characterization of the Asian nation’s practices when it comes to growing palm oil as a cash crop.
“If there are statements that discredit the government and the interests of Indonesia, he could be deported,” said Ronny Sompie, the country’s director-general for immigration, told the Indonesian newspaper Republika. Sompie explained that the actor’s visa was limited to excursions, not activism.
But it seems those comments were too rash. On Saturday, statements began to come from various ministries saying DiCaprio’s statements were welcomed. The environment minister even proposed that she and DiCaprio have coffee when she is in New York later this month for an international climate meeting at United Nations headquarters.
Indonesian palm oil production has been under scrutiny by environmentalists and the Obama administration in recent years because of the potential harm it poses to rainforests. In particular, the draining of peat bogs to expand palm plantations is having detrimental effects on global warming by releasing carbon into the atmosphere, say environmental groups such as Greenpeace.
In 2014, the country’s producers, along with international agribusiness companies such as U.S.-based Cargill, signed a pledge to adhere to sustainable growing practices that would benefit the environment and not exacerbate global warming.
Many scientists blame greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide, emitted from manmade practices for changing the Earth’s climate, leading to catastrophic weather patterns, sea-level rise and drought.
Here’s a recount of DiCaprio’s journey from being blacklisted to being invited for coffee in New York:
? March 27: DiCaprio begins a trip through Sumatra’s rainforest. He comments on social media: “The expansion of Palm Oil plantations is fragmenting the #forest and cutting off key elephant migratory corridors, making it more difficult for elephant families to find adequate sources of food and water.” He adds that his foundation is supporting local partners to protect the animals of the Leuser Ecosystem.
? Friday: Reports say the immigration ministry is threatening to deport DiCaprio.
? Saturday: The Associated Press reports that the Indonesian ministry of immigration says it supports his comments, but has the power to blacklist DiCaprio at any time if he continues posting on social media. “We support his concern to save the Leuser ecosystem,” said Heru Santoso, spokesman for the country’s ministry of immigration. “But we can blacklist him from returning to Indonesia at any time if he keeps posting incitement or provocative statements in his social media.”
? Sunday: An interview with Indonesia’s environment and forestry minister, Siti Nurbaya, is released. She says the actor would not be deported or blacklisted. She lauded the actor for his support of the country’s ecosystem, according to the foresthints.news service, which reports on forestry programs. The minister gave the news service an exclusive interview on the sidelines of a climate change conference she was holding April 1-3.
“My view is that DiCaprio’s concerns are both sincere and substantial, and he has certainly acted in good faith. In fact, we largely share his concerns on this matter. In light of this and to reciprocate his sincerity and good intentions, I am open to working together with DiCaprio in a joint effort whereby both of us can have our concerns addressed, including those that pertain to the Leuser Ecosystem,” she said.
She added: “It’s really not relevant to link the concerns conveyed by DiCaprio with immigration matters.” Foresthints.news reports that the “minister was also keen to clarify that DiCaprio would not be deported if he ever came to Indonesia again to voice his concerns or as part of a joint effort aimed at the protection of the country’s wildlife habitats.”
? At the end of the interview, the environmental minister proposes coffee in New York to catch up with the Oscar-winning star. “Who knows, if DiCaprio is around New York when I’m at the UN Headquarters, perhaps we can catch up over a cup of coffee. I would take the opportunity to explain to him in greater detail about the efforts being undertaken by the Jokowi administration to address climate change issues.”
President Obama will be in New York for the climate meeting April 22. At the meeting, countries that agreed to December’s climate change deal in Paris will be asked to sign the accord. Fifty-five countries are required to sign the agreement within a year’s time for the deal to take effect.
