Foreign travelers now allowed to enter RI by car

JAKARTA (JP): Four ministers and the national police chief yesterday signed a joint decree that will allow foreign travelers to enter the country driving their own private vehicles.

The decree was signed by Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman, Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad, Minister of Industry and Trade Tunky Ariwibowo, Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto and Police Chief Dibyo Widodo. The signing was witnessed by Coordinating Minister for Production and Distribution Hartarto and Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave.

Joop told reporters yesterday that under the ruling, travelers will be able to enter the country via land and sea borders more easily.

The new regulation will mainly affect countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), particularly Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines, which have borders with Indonesia.

Joop said that in the long run, the new entrance regulations will be expected to boost the tourism sector and bring in foreign currency.

Tourism is expected to become the country's main foreign exchange earner by the end of the Seventh Five-Year Development Plan period in 2005. By that year, the sector is expected to contribute some US$15 billion in revenues and become a major provider of employment.

Last year, revenues from the tourism sector increased by 9.3 percent to $5.23 billion from $4.78 billion in 1994.

Joop said Asian countries contribute about 70 percent to the total tourist arrivals in Indonesia.

Joop said the new regulation is expected to attract more tourists, possibly large families or groups, who will be traveling by car. Being more mobile, he said, they can also be expected to stay longer and spend more money in Indonesia.

"The longer they stay, the more we earn," he said.

The gateways that have been prepared to receive such incoming travelers are Malahayati and Lhokseumawe ports in Aceh, Belawan port in North Sumatra, Dumai port on mainland Riau, Selat Kijang port on Riau's Bintan island and Entikong checkpoint in West Kalimantan.

Joop explained yesterday that under the decree, foreign travelers entering Indonesia by car will be required to show documents guaranteeing the vehicle's road-worthiness for at least three months.

They must also display a special sign issued by the Land Transport Control Agency and must agree not to carry passengers other than those declared upon entering Indonesia, Joop said.

The drivers must be able to present valid international or ASEAN driving licenses.

Tourists must be able to present passports valid for at least six months, visas, and full insurance against accidents and theft.

The permit allowing vehicles to enter Indonesia will expire after 60 days of a single-entry visit.

Joop yesterday guaranteed that the new regulation will not provoke car smuggling because the tourists will be required to bring their vehicles back upon returning to their respective countries.

"I assure you that the police are involved; the private sector -- such as traveling agencies and the Indonesian Motor Organization -- will help us," Joop said. (pwn)