All Indonesian Citizens in Malaysia Must Have Passports, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi during a meeting with Indonesian citizens in Sarawak at Perpaduan Stadium, Kuching Sarawak, Malaysia, Wednesday, (22/11). (Photo by: Bureau of Press and Media)

After attending the 12^th edition of the annual Indonesia-Malaysia consultation meeting, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Wednesday (22/11) at Perpaduan Stadium in Kuching, Serawak, Malaysia, met with Indonesian citizens in Malaysia.

During the meeting, which was attended by around 7,000 people, President Jokowi called on Indonesian citizens in Malaysia to have passports.

“Every Indonesian (in Malaysia) must have a passport. For those who do not have one yet, please apply for one at the Consulate Generals,” the President said.

President Jokowi also reiterated that in applying for a passport, there is no other fees besides official fee and the Government promises a fast service both at the Indonesian Embassy and at the Indonesian Consulate Generals.

President Jokowi has also instructed Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia and Indonesian Consul General in Kuching Johar Gultom to give ease for Indonesian citizens in the country to obtain a passport.

“I hope that matters related to obtaining a passport can be accelerated. There must not be any other fees besides official fees,” the President said, adding that no Indonesian citizens (in Malaysia) must not be prevented from having a passport simply because of the difficult process of obtaining one.

“I don’t want that our people don’t have a passport due to the acts of several irresponsible people,” the President said.

In addition, President Jokowi also reminded that Indonesian children born in Malaysia must have birth certificates.

“Our children must have birth certificates, which can be obtained at Consulate Generals, so when they grow up, they have legal basis,” the President said, adding that for Indonesian children who do not have birth certificates yet, their parents can apply for it at Consulate Generals.

“I want that all Indonesian children have birth certificates because they all have to go to school,” the President said.

Furthermore, President Jokowi added that all Indonesian children in Sarawak to go to school. He addedthat during the consultation meeting, President Jokowi asked Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak to build schools for Indonesian children and this year as many as 19 Community LearningCenter (CLC) have been built.

“It is targeted that as of July 2018, 50 CLC will be built. All Indonesian children here must go to school. Indonesia’s future is the hands of our children,” the President said.

Also attending the event were Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly, Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Manpower Hanif Dhakiri, Minister of TradeEnggartiasto Lukita, Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki and Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Rusdi Kirana. (BPMI/EN) (EP/YM/Naster)