DENPASAR ~ The president of surf-clothing firm Billabong, Chris James, is apparently avoiding the Indonesian courts by choosing to stay in Australia, an official said.

James was accused by CV Bali Balance, the company licensed to sell Billabong products in Indonesia, of terminating their contract without warning.

Justice Ministry officials here said they were aiming for James to be extradited from Australia to Indonesia.

“Legal papers were signed by Indonesia’s justice and human rights minister on December 5, and a request for his extradition has been sent to Australia,” Bali Balance spokesperson Annesa Pratiwi said.

Lawyers for Bali Balance Agus Setiawan and Fajar Indrawati said it was difficult to get Australian citizens extradited to Indonesia, but they hoped for him to be made to return for at least three months.