Government to target illegal aliens<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Amid the heat of Malaysia's plan to deport Indonesian illegal
\nmigrant workers, the government has set up a task force not only
\nto deal with its responsibilities in the mass deportation, but
\nalso to handle illegal migrants in the country.<\/p>\n
Interim coordinating minister of social welfare Malik Fadjar
\ndenied on Monday suggestions that the task force's establishment
\nwas an act of retaliation against Malaysia's planned deportation
\nof Indonesian illegal migrants.<\/p>\n
\"It's just that we have to put in order the many illegal
\nmigrants here,\" he said after a Cabinet meeting, during which
\nreports from the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) on illegal
\naliens had been presented.<\/p>\n
The task force's duties related to the mass deportation is
\npart of the government's preparations for the expected
\nrepatriation of some tens of thousands of workers from Malaysia.<\/p>\n
The two countries have reached an agreement on the planned
\ndeportation, including shared costs and responsibilities in the
\ngradual return of at least 500,000 workers. The deportation has
\nbeen scheduled to take place after September's presidential
\nrunoff.<\/p>\n
In regards illegal aliens in the country, Malik said foreign
\nnationals without proper immigration documents were found in
\nCisarua, West Java, among other areas, including refugees from
\nMiddle Eastern countries.<\/p>\n
Malik was quick to add that nationals of many other countries
\nwere also \"working illegally\" in Indonesia, but did not
\nelaborate.<\/p>\n
He said a suggestion to deal with foreign illegal workers was
\nraised at the Cabinet meeting, and further discussion would
\nfollow on whether raids would be made on suspected foreigners --
\nas was done in Malaysia.<\/p>\n
Foreign nationals seeking to work in the country are required
\nto obtain several documents and references from the employing
\ncompanies for immigration purposes. The government also levies
\ncompanies US$100 monthly per foreign employee.<\/p>\n
Ministry of Manpower data for 2003 shows 16,662 foreign
\nprofessionals registered in the country, including some 7,000 in
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri is slated to issue a
\npresidential decree on the structure, operation and function of
\nthe task force once the foreign ministry submits a draft to the
\nState Secretariat.<\/p>\n
Malik said the two countries will finance the deportation
\njointly, with Malaysia providing RM140 (US$35) and Indonesia Rp
\n300,000 (US$33.3) for each worker.<\/p>\n
\"We will provide the fund from the state emergency budget,\"
\nState Minister of Communications and Information Syamsul Muarif
\nsaid.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-to-target-illegal-aliens-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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