E – VISA INFO

Tuesday, 11 May 2021 02:30 WIB

empty airport

157 Chinese Citizens Visiting Indonesia are for Work Needs

The Director-General of Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham) Jhoni Ginting revealed that the entry of 157 foreign nationals from China to Indonesia on Saturday (8/5/2021) was not for the purpose of traveling, but for work purposes.

“All foreigners have fulfilled the immigration regulations with the types of visas and activities in accordance with Menkumham Regulation No. 26 of 2020, namely for work activities, not for tourist visits,” said Jhoni, Sunday (9/5/2021).

All of these foreigners, said Jhoni, also passed health checks according to the protocol for the arrival of people from abroad determined by the Covid-19 Handling Task Force. Jhoni said the 157 Chinese citizens arrived using the China Southern Airlines airline CZ387 from Guangzhou at 05.00 WIB.

The Plane Landed at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

Jhoni also said that the arrival of foreigners to Indonesia was only allowed to carry out essential interests. “The arrival of foreigners to Indonesia is only permitted for purposes such as working on national strategic projects, vital objects, family unification, medical and humanitarian assistance, and transportation equipment crews,” he said.

Deputy Chairman of Commission V DPR RI Syarif Abdullah Alkadrie said that regarding the arrival of Chinese citizens to Indonesia, people should not feel abandoned. This is because the government has banned homecoming, while foreigners are allowed to enter the country.

“We support this policy, we just have to be in tune. People are prohibited from going home but tourist attractions are still open, flights from abroad will still enter,” he said. Syarif added that the ban on going home is not in the government’s interest. He hopes that the community will be patient and obey the prohibition so that there will be no new clusters later.

“But because of the current pandemic condition, we ask the public to be patient. For the common interest. Do not let the virus move from one place to another so that a new cluster occurs,” he said.

The opening of the Jakarta-Wuhan (China) flight route, continued Syarif, must also be closely monitored. This strict supervision was carried out so that the cases of the escape of Indian citizens who turned out to be positive for Covid-19 did not happen again.

“This is closely monitored. If this happens, legal action and dismissal must be taken because this is very dangerous,” said Syarif. Syarif said that the strict supervision that must be carried out is a matter of isolation and health conditions that must be strictly enforced.

Given that currently, positive cases of Covid-19 are surging in almost all over the world, including in Indonesia. “This means that the rules must be obeyed. He (the passenger) must follow the rules, for example, isolation or health conditions imposed,” said Syarif.

“Because people are currently trying to comply with the rules on the prohibition of going home and limiting mobility during the Lebaran holidays,” he said.

Cak Imin, the nickname of Muhaimin Iskandar, said that the Covid-19 Task Force must immediately provide an explanation of why foreign nationals are allowed to enter the country. This is to avoid the public’s perception that policies regarding the prevention of transmission of the Covid-19 virus do not apply fairly and thoroughly.

“This condition confuses people who have limited mobility during Eid,” said the PKB general chairman. He also encouraged the Ministry of Health and the Covid-19 Handling Task Force to ensure that all foreigners and Indonesian citizens coming from abroad can comply with the rules of international travel health protocol during the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Member of Commission IX of the DPR Netty Prasetiyani also highlighted the entry of Chinese citizens to Indonesia in the midst of the policy of prohibiting homecoming for the community as a less sensitive act that could invite the public questions.

“Of course, the public will wonder why Chinese citizens are allowed to enter Indonesia, even though people are prohibited from going home and there are many blockages,” said Netty.

He explained that so that this issue does not become a wild ball, the government must clearly explain to the public the reasons and their goals for entering Indonesia in the midst of the danger of a surge in Covid-19 cases. (Tribun Network/ham/kps/wly