Foreigners and property

Foreigners and property

In your editorial you ask: "What risk is there to either the
economy or national security if foreign nationals are allowed to
own apartments/condominiums or luxury houses in Bali and other
resort areas?"

First of all, if the idea is to attract foreign pensioners or
mixed couples that want to live in Indonesia and buy property,
there are still plenty of other obstacles to keep them away.
Thus, the proposed changes would not be effective. Playing the
devil's advocate, I would say that more foreigners living in
luxury in Indonesia would create more jealousy, resentment and
possibly riots or even terrorism, as long as there are so many
Indonesians living in appalling conditions.

I think the President has hinted that unless this situation
changes, other changes in property and immigration law will not
happen. Indeed, it is usually the Indonesian policy to try to
avoid tension, unrest and disruption of harmony.

The idea to ease the restrictions on foreign nationals owning
property seems to be driven by people with interests in property
development and sales. If there is enough collusion between these
circles and the people in power, there is some chance that
changes will be proposed. However, there will be other powers to
halt it.

SYLVIA SUCIPTO, Yogyakarta