Alien visas

Alien visas
are justified

From Kompas

The news on the new tourist visa policy which is likely to
disrupt tourism carried in Kompas (Sept. 13) needs some comment.
Law No.9/1992 on immigration stipulates that all aliens entering
Indonesia must possess a visa. Any exception to the rule is
specified in a presidential decree on the basis of the principle
of mutual benefit and non-involvement in security matters.

Presidential Decree No.18/2003 on visa exemption for short
visits was issued after several coordinating meetings on politics
and security, the latest being held on Sept. 8, with people from
ministries and relevant agencies attending.

Therefore, there is no reason to assume that this decree
hampers foreign tourist arrivals.

The facts before this decree was enforced indicated that
foreign tourists visiting Indonesia had tended to decline in
number due to such factors as travel warnings from several
countries of tourist origin, due to the less favorable security
conditions in this country. The same decree causes no parties to
be trapped in sectoral interests either, which are relatively
limited compared with the protection of national interests.

M. BATUBARA
Ministry of Justice & Human Rights
Jakarta