New visa policy needs explaining
New visa policy needs explaining
In September 2002 I wrote to The Jakarta Post about the
government's proposal to abolish visa free entry for most foreign
tourists. I said that the main effects would be to fill the
coffers of the Immigration Office and to deter tourists, thus
driving Indonesians out of employment.
Since then we have had the Bali bombs, the SARS epidemic, the
Iraq war and the Marriott bombing. To shore up the tourist
industry, the government moved some religious holidays to
Mondays, despite objections from religious groups.
But when it comes to money, the administration is determined
to get its hands on the potentially millions of dollars in visa
fees no matter how many citizens lose their livelihood as a
result.
The arguments presented by the government to justify its
decision are a catalog of absurdities not seen since the days of
the Timor car scandal.
To mention just one, the President herself said that the fee
targeted journalists and NGO members who were spreading
separatist propaganda in Aceh and Papua while visiting the
country on tourist visas.
Even if these shadowy gangs of reporters really existed, her
argument would still be ridiculous. While the new rules are a
good way of discouraging tourists with families, shoppers,
backpackers, senior citizens, short-stay visitors, long-stay
travelers, cruise ship operators, conference organizers and
stopover passengers, they will not dissuade journalists or NGO
members.
If the government seriously wanted to stop foreigners visiting
Aceh, they would simply bar foreigners from entering the
province, as in fact they already have. So why can't the
government give a rational explanation for the new visa
policy?
They could say, for example, that they hate foreigners and
want to reduce contacts between foreigners and Indonesians.
They could say that they hate Bali for being prosperous and
successful so they want to make it poor like most other parts of
Indonesia.
After all, the tourism industry, more than many other sectors,
promotes job creation and equitable development.
JOHN HARGREAVES
Jakarta