Outdated laws<\/p>\n
I read with interest the article Government to replace 350
\nlaws by end of 1999 (Feb. 22). According to the article, outdated
\ncolonial Dutch laws would be replaced. I would like to suggest
\nthat the current Indonesian immigration law is one which also
\nneeds changing.<\/p>\n
The current immigration law allows foreign women married to
\nIndonesian men to stay in Indonesia, but does not allow foreign
\nmen married to Indonesian women to stay. Also, children of a
\nmarriage between a foreign husband and an Indonesian wife are not
\ngranted Indonesian citizenship even if they are born in
\nIndonesia. Children born out of wedlock are granted citizenship
\neven if their father is a foreigner. Under this law, immorality
\nis rewarded while the children of a married couple could
\npotentially be taken from their Indonesian mothers' arms and
\ndeported. Any law that allows this to happen is a disgrace to
\ncivilized society.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's outdated colonial Dutch-based immigration law
\nneeds to be changed so that foreigners, both men and women, with
\nIndonesian spouses can stay in Indonesia permanently. Children of
\nthese marriages should be able to obtain Indonesian citizenship
\nthrough either parent, not just the father.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's population is 90 percent Moslem. Indonesia's
\nMoslems are part of the Moslem Ummat (community) in which family
\nis very important. Any laws that break up families are contrary
\nto Islamic moral values and have no place in Indonesia or any
\nMoslem country.<\/p>\n
KEVIN J. DUNPHY<\/p>\n
Bandung, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/outdated-laws-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }