New visa regulations needed

I am an American, visiting Indonesia for the fourth time since 1989. I was admitted with the "traditional" 60-day visitor's visa, which allows a stay here for up to 60 days, after which one has to leave the country. For most tourists a 60-day stay is probably more than enough time.

However, I belong to a group of people, who consider this country "Tanah Air Kita", i.e. I was born here (of Dutch and Hungarian parents). I lived and grew up here, all the way through high school and the Japanese occupation.

I, for one, certainly would like to (be able to) stay longer than 60 days and visit some of the other islands without having to hurry. As things stand now I would have to fly to Singapore (the closest foreign country) and return here to start a new 60- day cycle. This would cost at least US$250, the money going to the airline, plus accommodation in Singapore, if not returning the same day.

I fail to understand, why it appears to be impossible to extend the 60-day visa here in Indonesia. Let the renewal fee be somewhere between $100 and $200, but this way the money paid would stay in the country. Both Indonesia and the tourist(s) would benefit.

C.L. VAN HOBOKEN

Bandung, West Java