During the Indonesian occupation of East Timor that lasted until 1999, Maia was involved in a number of academic and political activities internationally in support of East Timor's independence movement. On a visit to the US in the late-1990s, he interacted with prominent East Timorese from the diaspora, including José Ramos-Horta and João Carrascalão. Following his return, the Indonesian regime therefore imposed restrictions on his freedom.