Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia in a Limited Meeting on Visa on Arrival, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, September 9, 2022

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Good morning,
May peace be upon us all.

This morning, we will discuss the issue of visa, visa on arrival and KITAS (limited stay permit). Why we are talking about this? Because we’ve received many complaints about this and I hope this meeting will bring total reforms to our immigration. It hasn’t changed at all.

So, we have seen and I have received many reports, from the investors, tourists, and foreigners who want to apply for KITAS. I feel that our immigration is still controlling. What does it mean? What will it bring? Inconvenience. This must be reformed, totally. It must provide ease and service. It must be reformed. If necessary, replace the director general, the underlings, to make them realize that we need to change. It must be reformed if we want investment and tourists come to the country. Honestly, I heard a lot about that and I also feel ashamed.

We should notice that developed counties provide ease in the process of granting visa and stay permit to foreigners. If the foreigner is investor, they also consider how much the investment is. The country will take that into account. How many job opportunities will she/he open? Or to which extent will they contribute to our economy? Our goals must lead there. How they can increase our export value?

Therefore, why our country is not attractive? One of the reasons, the main reason is the immigration that still adopts the old ways. Such thing makes huge contribution to the people.

Mr. Minister, we must start the reforms. Replace officials who do not have the ability to reform, replace them from the director general to the underlings. If we do not do that, we cannot undertake reform.

That concludes my remarks.

(RAS/LW)