MP: Passport Services Must Be Easily Accessible to the Public
Purwokerto (ANTARA) - Yanuar Arif Wibowo, a member of Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), believes that immigration services must be easily accessible to the people of Banyumas, Central Java. Consequently, he supports the implementation of the ‘Paspor Simpatik’ service and the accelerated development of the Banyumas Immigration Office, which is targeted to begin operations in 2027.
“This quota is open until 4 August 2026, with the hope that the community can utilise services that are closer to home, eliminating the need to process passports in Cilacap or Wonosobo. This is a collaboration with the Banyumas Regency Government to bring services closer to the public,” said Yanuar during the opening of the Paspor Simpatik service at the Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency (BKAD) Office of Banyumas Regency, Purwokerto, on Friday.
The Paspor Simpatik programme, running from 31 July to 4 August 202 moving towards 2026, has a quota of 500 applicants. Yanuar explained that this programme, a result of cooperation between the Directorate General of Immigration and the Banyumas Regency Government, serves as a temporary solution for residents who previously had to travel to the nearest Immigration Offices in Cilacap, Wonosobo, or other regions.
He noted that the service covers new passport applications as well as renewals for expired passports or those with full pages. However, he noted that the service does not yet cover replacements for lost or damaged passports, or changes to personal data.
“Ease of access to passport services is expected to support public mobility for work, education, tourism, and economic activities,” he stated. He also reminded the public to use passports in accordance with the law and not to misuse travel documents for criminal activities, such as human trafficking or smuggling.
In addition to providing temporary services, Yanuar stated that the proposal for the construction of the Banyumas Immigration Office has been submitted to the Directorate General of Immigration and has received support from the Banyumas Regency Government, which has prepared the construction site. “The target is, if the entire process proceeds smoothly, the Banyumas Immigration Office could begin operating in 2027. The primary goal is so that the community no longer needs to process passports in other regions,” he said.
Haryono Agus, Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration for Central Java, stated that the plan to build the Banyumas Immigration Office has been discussed for a long time but was previously hindered by the readiness of the local government, particularly regarding land provision. He noted that the support from the DPR RI and the Banyumas Regency Government makes the plan much more realistic to realise.
“If the entire process receives approval, we are ready to proceed with the construction of the Banyumas Immigration Office,” he said. He assessed that the presence of the Banyumas Immigration Office is highly necessary given the high demand for passport services in Banyumas and the surrounding areas. Furthermore, Purwokerto serves as a hub for economic, educational, and service activities in the southern region of Central Java, making it deserving of its own immigration office.
Wahyu, a passport applicant from Bumiayu, admitted that the Paspor Simpatik service in Banyumas has been very helpful. An Indonesian migrant worker currently employed in the manufacturing sector in South Korea, he noted that he previously had to travel quite far to process his passport. “If there is an Immigration Office in Banyumas, it will certainly be much easier. Even now, the service in Banyumas is very helpful because it is closer than having to go to other regions,” he said.