Good News! Immigration Officers Will Get Allowances On The Outer Islands

Rupiah (Photo: Antara)

The Directorate General of Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights is now preparing special allowances for immigration civil servants (ASN) who are fully tasked in remote, outermost and border areas.

"We need to pay special attention to the implementation of immigration functions along the border lines of Indonesian territory, both at Immigration Checkpoints and Cross-Border Posts," said Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim quoting Antara.

This was conveyed by Silmy when he visited the Turiskain Traditional Border Cross Post in Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara.

Silmy explained that Immigration officers at the border are at the forefront of maintaining state gates and are tasked with supervising human traffic, as well as preventing various forms of immigration violations. The border area has an important role in maintaining the security and stability of the country.

"Their job is not easy. They have to work in remote areas and with limited conditions," said Silmy.

Therefore, Silmy considered that they needed to get a commensurate award and appreciation, one of which was through the provision of special allowances.

This allowance is expected to improve the welfare and motivation of Immigration officers in remote, outermost and border areas. The provision of this allowance is a form of the government's commitment to improving immigration services in the region," he said.

This special allowance-giving scheme will be regulated in a Special Allowance Presidential Regulation (Perpres) for State Civil Apparatus at the Directorate General of Immigration who is fully tasked with the Outermost Small Islands and/or Border Areas whose designs have been proposed since October 2023. As stated in Presidential Decree Number 49 of 2010 concerning Security Operation Allowances for TNI and ASN Soldiers assigned to Security Operations on Outermost Small Islands and Border Areas.

"Currently, the draft Presidential Decree is being studied by the Policy Strategy Agency of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia to then be submitted to the State Secretariat," he said.

Silmy is optimistic that the Presidential Decree will be issued so that special allowances can be immediately given to Immigration officers in charge of security operations on the outermost small islands and border areas.

According to him, the addition of these allowances can also be a stimulus for economic turnover in the outermost small islands and/or border areas because this, Immigration officers will have higher purchasing power and can encourage economic growth in the area.

In addition to special allowances, he said, the Directorate General of Immigration is also planning to build more adequate facilities and infrastructure for all Immigration offices and other partners.

"So we have created a border Pokja which will later make a plan, then proceed with the budget and other things related to the implementation of the plan," he said.

He emphasized that the equipment for Immigration facilities and infrastructure across land routes is as important as air and sea routes. What is no less important is the synergy between the Directorate General of Immigration and relevant stakeholders, both in the context of land clearing problems to priority rights.

"Don't let the duties and functions of Immigration officers be hampered due to infrastructure problems," said Silmy.