Visa policy change to go ahead despite criticism, minister says
Visa policy change to go ahead despite criticism, minister says
Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The government is likely to go ahead with its controversial plan
to abolish its visa-on-entry policy given to citizens of 48
countries following the recent arrests of several foreigners in
connection with separatism or terrorism activities in the
country.
The move has drawn strong criticism from the business sector,
especially from the tourist-related businesspeople, saying that
the move would be a setback to the country's tourism sector and
economic recovery process.
However, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza
Mahendra on Saturday dismissed fears that the new policy would
harm the national economy, especially the tourism sector.
The 48 countries include the U.S., Japan, Australia, Germany,
the Netherlands, South Korea and Taiwan, which are Indonesia's
major sources of tourists and foreign investment.
"I proposed to the government three months ago that the
decision to grant visas (on arrival) for nationals of 48
countries be revoked. But the Bali governor and ASITA (the
Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies) rejected it,
so we have to bear such risks," Yusril told journalists after
attending a ceremony to mark the International Day of Peace at
his office in Jakarta.
Nevertheless, he promised to have further discussions on the
plan before acting on it in the near future.
Yusril's remarks were in response to Vice President Hamzah
Haz's request Thursday for the relevant authorities to tighten
the immigration system in order to prevent foreigners from making
trouble in the country.
Hamzah also asked Indonesian embassies abroad to selectively
issue visas, so that unexpected incidents involving people with
ill-intent could be avoided.
The Vice President was apparently referring to the detentions
of two foreign women -- 42-year old Scottish researcher Lesley
McCulloch and 57-year old American volunteer Joy Lee Sadler -- in
rebellious Aceh.
The two along with their Acehnese interpreter were nabbed by
soldiers in South Aceh for misusing their tourist visas by
allegedly involving themselves in activities linked to the rebel
Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
Also, the security authorities in the West Java town of Bogor
had arrested Omar al-Faruq, reportedly a Kuwaiti citizen who was
believed to be a mid-level operative of the al-Qaeda terrorist
network.
Al-Faruq, who was deported to the United States in June, had
reportedly plotted to murder President Megawati Soekarnoputri, an
accusation that was doubted by many as she appears not to be a
prime opponent of fundamentalist groups here.
In an addition to the al-Faruq arrest, the police in Jakarta
has been detaining Seyam Reda, believed to be a German national
of Arab descent, since last week on charges of violating
immigration rules.
He is accused of undertaking activities connected with a
regional terrorist network.
The plan to scrap the visa facility is not a new one. In late
1999, the government entertained the idea of abolishing it,
arguing that it had contributed to many negative factors in the
country, including increased drug smuggling and a growing number
of illegal workers.
The current visa arrangement was first introduced in 1983 by
tourism minister Joop Ave, and was meant to lure more foreign
tourists to the country. Under the scheme, tourists from certain
countries automatically get a tourist visa valid for two months
upon arrival.
Meanwhile, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu ordered
on Friday all regional military leaders, particularly those in
the troubled provinces of Aceh, Maluku and Papua, to increase
surveillance of foreigners.
"I have instructed provincial military commands to 'supervise'
them. If they (foreigners) want to have picnics, they can go to
Bali or other tourist areas, Why should they go to Aceh? What do
they want see? It's illogical. We are in a war here," he said
while touring Aceh on Friday.