Jakarta - Directorate General (Ditjen) of Immigration revoked a letter of recommendation from the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) as one of the requirements for application for Hajj and Umrah passports.
"We no longer apply the recommendation of the Ministry of Religion or the head of the regional Religious Office for passport applicants for Umrah," said Director General (Dirjen) of Immigration Silmy Karim in Jakarta, as reported by ANTARA, Sunday, March 5.
Silmy emphasized that passports are the right of every citizen and the Directorate General of Immigration is obliged to provide convenience for the public to get a passport.
"People who want to worship only have to ask for recommendations? We make it easier, we immediately give it. So passports are the rights of citizens, that's the principle, so we have to give it easily," he added.
He explained that the requirements for a letter of recommendation in the passport application would be difficult for people who live far from big cities, the requirements for a letter of recommendation from the religious office could be quite a hassle.
"Don't look at Jakarta. For example, he is in Sumatra, he has to go back four hours from home or his village to the regional immigration office, then the passport applicant must have a recommendation, he returns again four hours. It's time to go back and forth," explained Silmy.
He added that the Umrah passport applicants are those who want to carry out worship, so the Directorate General of Immigration must give the best service to Umrah passport applicants in accordance with their duties as public servants and community development facilitators.
"Don't make it difficult, let alone make it difficult for people to want to worship, we will make it easier for God willing, we will get the reward," he added.
Atas ini, Silmy mengatakan dirinya sangat terbuka terhadap masukan dari masyarakat tentang apa saja yang harus diperbaiki dari layanan immigrasi.
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