While there he entertained fellow-prisoners by reading aloud chapters from a favourite book, Pastoor Poncke ("Pastor Poncke") by Jan Eekhout.
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In 1996 he was involved in protests against Suharto’s crackdown on the Indonesian Democratic Party (PRD).
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"After the 1991 Santa Cruz Massacre in the Timorese capital Dili, Princen gave sanctuary in his home to five young Timorese who had fled their homeland. A stand-off with the Indonesian military followed, but he successfully negotiated with the Jakarta military commander, General Hendro-priono (then perceived as a liberal harbinger of reform) for their safe passage to Jakarta airport, from whence they travelled to freedom in Portugal".
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With his playful smile he responded, "No, you have it wrong; it is that I am always on the side of the people." I recall finally what he called his "anthem", Edith Piaf's haunting Non, je ne regrette rien.