Immigration clarifies

With reference to the letter from Mr. Robert WEM which appeared in The Jakarta Post on July 21, 1999, entitled Immigration law, we would like to give our comment on the matter.

First of all, and unfortunately, the problem raised by Mr. Robert is unclear, so that it is difficult for us to give a clear-cut response to his state of affairs.

However, if the discrimination mentioned by Mr. Robert involves a foreigner who married an Indonesian woman, we would like to make it clear that the foreign husband cannot take the status of his wife.

The marriage law in Indonesia is based on a patrilineal principle, and the immigration law should stick to that principle.

The adverse will apply if a foreign woman marries an Indonesian man, she can get a Limited Stay Permit in Indonesia, and in line with Law No. 62/1958 on Indonesian citizenship, the foreign wife is allowed to seek Indonesian nationality.

Upon observing Mr. Robert's complaint, we assume that Mr. Robert is a German who entered Indonesia using the facility of a Visa Free Short Stay (BVKS), which is valid for 60 days and cannot be extended.

Should Mr. Robert wish to live in Indonesia together with his wife, he could apply, under the sponsorship of his wife, for a Social-Cultural Visit Visa, which is initially valid for two months. This visa can be extended five times at a maximum of one month for each extension.

MURSANUDIN GHANI

Public Relations

Directorate General

of Immigration

Jakarta