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BALI Governor I Wayan Koster proposed to the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham) of the Republic of Indonesia to revoke visas on arrival (VoA) for Russian and Ukrainian citizens who want to visit Bali.
“I have written to the Minister of Law and Human Rights to copy the Minister of Foreign Affairs to revoke visas on arrival for Russian and Ukrainian citizens who want to go to Bali,” said Wayan Koster, in Denpasar, Sunday, March 12, 2023.
The proposal is considered important considering the rampant reports of foreign nationals from the two countries committing violations under the guise of tourist visits to Bali. In addition, the condition of the country in conflict makes citizens from the two countries want to find comfort in Bali.
“Because two countries are at war, they are not comfortable in their countries. They are also busy coming to Bali, including people who are not traveling, apart from looking for comfort, they are also working,” he said.
In addition, the high number of violations by citizens of the two countries was the reason for Bali Governor Wayan Koster when he wrote to the Minister of Law and Human Rights and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Other countries do not do that because the violations are not as significant as by foreigners from these two countries,” he explained.
Currently, the Bali Provincial Government is still waiting for an answer from the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights for further execution so that tourists who come to Bali respect the laws and customs of the Balinese people.
Wayan Koster emphasized that the revocation of visa on arrival for foreigners may not only apply to residents of the two countries.
“The Ministry of Law and Human Rights will discuss with the Minister of Foreign Affairs whether only these two countries are subject to the new policy or several countries because now there are 86 countries that are given visas on arrival,” said Wayan Koster.
Meanwhile, Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kakanwil Kemenkumham) of Bali Province Anggiat Napitupulu said that Bali Governor Wayan Koster’s proposal was a reasonable proposal as a form of evaluation of the implementation of the visa on arrival issued by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights.
“The governor as the head of the region is fine because it is a form of concern for his region and evaluation. However, free tourist facilities are also national policies so that later the evaluation from the regions will be evaluated at the center, there is no other province submitting the same evaluation,” said Anggiat.
Although the visa on arrival is issued by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, according to him, the policy is a cross-sectoral ministry policy such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and regional heads.
Therefore, said Anggiat, to revoke or review the implementation of visa on arrival, it requires input from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy so as not to cause effects on other sectors after the regulation is revoked.
“This visa on arrival is issued by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, but the input comes from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, and from the regions. So, there is not necessarily an evaluation of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights also accepts. Invite also the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ministry how this is an evaluation from regional leaders,” he explained. [sources/photo special]
