Indonesia ought to reciprocate

Indonesia ought to reciprocate

Gen. Wiranto seems concerned that the Indonesian government
allows citizens of other countries to visit Indonesia for up to
60 days without the need to apply for a visa in advance. He is
right to think that other countries ought to reciprocate and
allow Indonesian citizens to do the same. It's only fair.

While we are on the subject of fairness, other countries allow
Indonesian citizens who are married to their citizens to reside
permanently, attend school and work in their countries without
restriction. Indonesians can even become citizens of their
spouses' countries. All this is just because of marriage. The
Indonesia government ought to reciprocate and allow foreigners
married to Indonesian citizens the same right. It's only fair.

Other countries automatically grant citizenship to children of
marriages between Indonesian citizens and their citizens
regardless of where the children were born. The Indonesian
government ought to reciprocate. It's only fair.

Under the current Indonesian immigration law, Indonesian women
are not even considered good enough to pass Indonesian
citizenship on to their own children. This results in the
children of Indonesian women and foreign men being treated no
differently than any other alien. Just imagine the feeling of
having your own child ripped from your arms and deported. This
violates the human rights of women and children and must be
stopped. Children of these marriages should be given Indonesian
citizenship automatically. It's only fair.

Gen. Wiranto is right in thinking that other countries should
reciprocate in terms of immigration policy. The Indonesian
government should be willing to do the same. It's only fair.

KEVIN J. DUNPHY

Bandung