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