Visa-on-arrival

I would like to reply to an article in The Jakarta Post on April 19 under the heading RI demands on-arrival visas from Australia.

Firstly, I am not Australian but English. I find it unbelievable that the coordinating minister for the economy would demand such action when he obviously has not looked at the negative changes that his government has implemented regarding visa entry into Indonesia since February last year.

Prior to that time visitors were allowed to stay for a maximum of 60 days, whereas now they are only allowed to stay 30 days and pay US$25 on entry. This new restriction was aimed at the very countries that are the biggest investors in Indonesia creating thousands of desperately needed jobs and adding much wealth to this country.

Last October a survey was carried out in Bali on how visitors felt towards the then new visa policy, low and behold 50 percent said they would never return to Indonesia again as they felt they were not welcome.

You would have thought that by now someone in this new government would have had the sense to change this ridiculous regulation for the better, and instead of restricting visitors staying here longer would increase it to say 90 days, thus encouraging those people to stay longer and at the same time spend more money.

This country, which demands such action from Australia, is the same country that still restricts its own citizens from traveling overseas whether it is for holidays or business by still imposing a charge, namely the Rp 1 million departure tax. A charge that was reported to be stopped at the beginning of this year. But like so many promises, when it comes to something like helping the people of this country it is quickly forgotten. So I suggest that before the government starts demanding visa changes in other countries it gets its own house in order first.

PAUL KOERNER, Jakarta