Indonesia respects the Malaysian government’s decision to deport reformasi activist Mugiyanto Sipin, said the republic’s ambassador to Malaysia Herman Prayitno.

“We understand that Mugiyanto has already arrived back in Jakarta and we recognise the Malaysian government’s authority to deport any individuals.

“The Indonesian Embassy respects the Malaysian authorities and all immigration regulations and laws,” Herman told Malaysiakini.

Mugiyanto was scheduled to speak at a Bersih 2.0 #YellowMania forum in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

In a Facebook posting, he confirmed that he will proceed to participate in the forum titled "People's movement can bring change" via Skype.

Recounting the incident, Mugiyanto said upon his arrival at klia2 from Jakarta this afternoon, three police officers who interrogated him had said they were allegedly ordered by the political authority to deny him entry.

“They said that my presence in the #YellowMania Forum for a discussion is considered a political interference by foreigner.

“Their arguments sadden me because the last time I heard such explanation was about 20 years ago, when Indonesia was still under authoritarian regime. It is still happening in Malaysia today,” he said noting that the police and immigration officers seems to be “afraid” of Bersih 2.0 and the people’s movement.

“I wish you a success with your struggle. With the implementation of Asean community this year, I would add one more additional slogan; ‘One Vision, One Identity, One Community, ONE STRUGGLE!” he stressed.

Mugiyanto currently serves as a programme officer at the International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development (Infid).

Infid executive director Sugeng Bahagijo, in condemning Mugiyanto’s deportation, had earlier demanded the Indonesian government issue a protest note to Malaysia on grounds of infringement to freedom of speech.

“The action by the Malaysian government has clearly gone against Asean’s commitment to develop human rights within the region,” Sugeng said in a statement.

Mugiyanto, who was a student leader during the republic’s reformasi movement in 1998, had helped organise student resistance and action against former president Suharto's ' orde baru ' regime.

He is also recognised by the Indonesian Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) as one out of nine individuals who survived kidnapping attempts linked to the Indonesian military under Suharto’s rule.

According to data from Kontras, a total of 23 activists were kidnapped between 1997 and 1998, with one of them found dead and 13 others still missing until today.