JAKARTA: Exiled Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy has arrived in Indonesia to meet some of the country's lawmakers as he considers when and how to make his long-awaited return to his homeland.
Sam Rainsy flew in from Malaysia after failing to make his planned return to Cambodia on Saturday. He was barred by Cambodian authorities who also won cooperation from some neighbouring countries, including Thailand, and airlines to hinder his freedom of movement.
He said on arrival on Thursday in Jakarta that he plans to meet some Indonesian lawmakers and civil society groups during his visit. He intended to return to Cambodia at the earliest possible opportunity to continue his mission to lead a movement to unseat Cambodia's long-serving authoritarian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Sam Rainsy is the acting president of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party.
Hun Sen on Thursday ordered the release on bail of some 70 activists who were supportive of the planned return last weekend of Sam Rainsy.
Speaking at the opening of a new cement factory in the country's southern province of Kampot, Hun Sen ordered Justice Ministry officials to take necessary steps to ensure the release on bail of the detainees.
The prime minister took the view that those people were deceived by Sam Rainsy, but said his government was justified in detaining them in order to maintain peace and stability in the country.