The Indonesian government threatened to deport actor Harrison Ford if he continued making unsavory statements about the nation's stance on climate change.
The "Indiana Jones" star met with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan while traveling to various locations around the country to film a Showtime series on climate change called "Years of Living Dangerously."
Presidential advisor Andi Arief accused Ford and his camera crew of "harassing state insitutions," even threatening to deport the actor, who was scheduled to fly out of Indonesia the same day.
Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan told local news agency Antara he was upset about the way Ford conducted his interview, angered by the actor's criticism of using fires to clear forested land. Hasan said Ford chided him for damaging parks and not protecting certain regions of the land.
"His emotions were running very high," the forestry minister said. "I understand the American man just came here to see Tesso Nilo [a Sumatra island national park] and wanted violators to be caught the same day."
According to the Guardian Express, Ford reportedly rushed into Hasan's office and immediately began asking "tough questions" before the cameras started rolling.
The minister said he could barely get a word in. "I was only given the opportunity to say one or two sentences during the interview," he told AFP.
"There is no special treatment for Harrison Ford, even though he's a brilliant actor," 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."
Jeff Horowitz, an associate producer for "Years of Living Dangerously," said the film would be sure to include Indonesia's recent efforts to prevent deforestation.
"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," he told mongabay.com. "We appreciate the progress they've made so far."
