Tourist visas in Indonesia<\/p>\n
Referring to the article published in The Jakarta Post on Nov.
\n3, 2000 entitled RI ponders fees for visas on arrival, I would
\nlike to make the following comments:<\/p>\n
Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said
\nthat Indonesians had been receiving unfair treatment as they have
\nto pay for entry visas in 47 countries, and, accordingly, we
\nshould also require entry visas for tourists visiting Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Discussing the question of fair or unfair, first we have to
\nevaluate the position of those countries. Most of them are rich
\nand developed countries and it is normal that they have strict
\nimmigration rules to limit illegal workers (such as in the USA,
\nEurope and Australia). There is a much smaller risk of illegal
\nworkers in Indonesia compared to those countries, as we are still
\na developing country (with low wage levels).<\/p>\n
As Indonesia has great potential in the tourist industry,
\nwe should be proud and make it as easy as possible for
\ntourists who want to come and spend their money in Indonesia.
\nSecondly, we also have to evaluate whether we ourselves are fair
\nor unfair with the foreigners who want to live in Indonesia, as
\nuntil now Indonesia does not even tolerate the rights of
\nmixed married couples who want to live in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
As an Indonesian citizen married to a Swiss man, I have
\nbeen very disappointed that my country does not extend to us the
\nright even to live together in Indonesia. My husband has to
\nextend his stay every month and has to leave the country every
\nsix months simply to get his social-cultural visa, which costs a
\nlot of money (monthly visa, plane to and hotel in Singapore, and
\nfees for a new re-entry visa). I did not have any of these
\nproblems when I was in Switzerland (I lived there for seven
\nyears). I could work and live there like all the Swiss do, and
\nhave the same rights like all the Swiss have.<\/p>\n
My question to the Indonesian government is, who is
\nunfair in this case? Is it wrong to be married to a foreigner?<\/p>\n
MAUREEN NOVIANTY<\/p>\n
Bali<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tourist-visas-in-indonesia-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }