Tegal demands immigration office

SEMARANG, Central Java: The provincial justice office here has asked the central government to open an immigration office in Tegal mayoralty to improve services to local residents who are planning to travel overseas.

The office's information service officer, Wiwik Murniati, told Antara on Wednesday passport applicants in the western part of the province had complained about the long distance they were forced to travel to reach the nearest immigration office.

"It takes them up to four hours to reach Semarang, meaning they waste a great amount of time for unnecessary things. Efficiency is the only reason for our demand for an immigration office in Tegal," Wiwik said.

The office has forwarded its request to the Ministry of Justice, but so far has not received a response.

The ministry recently opened immigration offices in the Central Java towns of Surakarta and Cilacap. (amd)