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