Visa-on-arrival

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