Leonardo DiCaprio News: Actor Receives Support from Indonesian Minister Following Ban Threat
Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio has been put under fire for the past days after he expressed concerns over Indonesia's palm oil plantations and the effects on the environment. Despite the previous threat of being banned from the country, a minister has recently offered support for the actor's sentiments.
In an interview with Forest Hints, the country's Minister of the Environment and Forestry, Dr. Siti Nurbaya, said "My view is that DiCaprio's concerns are both sincere and substantial, and he has certainly acted in good faith. In fact, we share his concerns on this matter."
After visiting the Gunung Leuser National Park late last month, DiCaprio took to Instagram and gave awareness about the ongoing issues in the park. He mentioned the critical need to stop palm oil plantation expansions as the species living in the forest could possibly become endangered as their habitats slowly turn into plantations.
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According to The Associated Press, spokesman for the Directorate General for Immigration at the Law and Human Rights Ministry Heru Santoso said of the actor's remarks: "We support his concern to save the Leuser ecosystem. But we can blacklist him from returning to Indonesia at any time if he keeps posting incitement or provocative statements in his social media."
For Nurbaya, DiCaprio's statements shouldn't even be a matter that the immigration ministry should be worried about as she has reviewed all the activities that the "Revenant" actor had all throughout his stay in the country and he did not see anything that should be of concern.
Nurbaya went on to explain that the ministry is open for DiCaprio's suggestions in further ensuring the safety and welfare of the animals in the Leuser Ecosystem. She said she would appreciate any joint efforts if the actor is interested so both her concerns as well as that of DiCaprio's could be addressed properly.
Finally, Nurbaya clarified that DiCaprio's comments can't be used against him as a reason for his deportation in case he visits Indonesia again and makes similar remarks.
