Tourist visas in Indonesia

Referring to the article published in The Jakarta Post on Nov. 3, 2000 entitled RI ponders fees for visas on arrival, I would like to make the following comments:

Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said that Indonesians had been receiving unfair treatment as they have to pay for entry visas in 47 countries, and, accordingly, we should also require entry visas for tourists visiting Indonesia.

Discussing the question of fair or unfair, first we have to evaluate the position of those countries. Most of them are rich and developed countries and it is normal that they have strict immigration rules to limit illegal workers (such as in the USA, Europe and Australia). There is a much smaller risk of illegal workers in Indonesia compared to those countries, as we are still a developing country (with low wage levels).

As Indonesia has great potential in the tourist industry, we should be proud and make it as easy as possible for tourists who want to come and spend their money in Indonesia. Secondly, we also have to evaluate whether we ourselves are fair or unfair with the foreigners who want to live in Indonesia, as until now Indonesia does not even tolerate the rights of mixed married couples who want to live in Indonesia.

As an Indonesian citizen married to a Swiss man, I have been very disappointed that my country does not extend to us the right even to live together in Indonesia. My husband has to extend his stay every month and has to leave the country every six months simply to get his social-cultural visa, which costs a lot of money (monthly visa, plane to and hotel in Singapore, and fees for a new re-entry visa). I did not have any of these problems when I was in Switzerland (I lived there for seven years). I could work and live there like all the Swiss do, and have the same rights like all the Swiss have.

My question to the Indonesian government is, who is unfair in this case? Is it wrong to be married to a foreigner?

MAUREEN NOVIANTY

Bali