Frequently Violating Rules, Bali Governor Wants Visa On Arrival Policy For Russian And Ukrainian Tourists To Be Revoked

The Governor of Bali, I Wayan Koster (central) suggested that the visa on arrival policy for Russian and Ukrainian tourists be revoked because they often violate the rules. (Between/Rolandus Nampu)

JAKARTA - The Governor of Bali, 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 citizens of Russia and Ukraine who want to visit Bali.

"I have written to the Minister of Law and Human Rights to the Foreign Minister to revoke visas on arrival for Russian and Ukrainian citizens who want to go to Bali," Wayan Koster said during a press conference at the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in Bali, Denpasar, as quoted by Antara on Sunday.

This policy, said Koster, is important considering the widespread reports that foreign nationals from the two countries committed violations in Bali by using a cover to make tourist visits to Bali. In addition, the condition of the country which is in conflict has made citizens from two countries want to seek comfort in Bali.

"Because two more countries are at war, they are uncomfortable in their country. They also flock to Bali, including people who do not travel also return to seek comfort, including to work," he said.

In addition, the high number of violations by residents of the two countries is the reason for the Governor of Bali Wayan Koster when he wrote to the Minister of Law and Human Rights and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Other countries did not do that because the violations were not significant by foreigners from these two countries," he said.

Currently, the Bali Provincial Government is still waiting for an answer from the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights to be executed so that tourists who come to Bali respect the laws and customs of the Balinese people.

Wayan Koster said that the revocation of the visit visa upon arrival (visa on arrival) for foreign nationals may not only apply to residents of the two countries.

"The Ministry of Law and Human Rights will discuss with the Foreign Minister whether these two countries are subject to new policies or several countries because now there are 86 countries that are given visas on arrival," said Wayan Koster.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kakanwil Kemenkumham) of Bali Province, Anggiat Napitupulu, said that the proposal of the Governor of Bali Wayan Koster was a reasonable proposal as a form of evaluation of the implementation of on-arrival foreign exchange issued by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights.

"It is permissible for the governor as regional head because of the form of concern for his area and evaluation. However, tourism-free facilities are also national policies so that later evaluations from regions will be evaluated at the center, whether other provinces submit the same evaluation," said Anggiat.

Although the foreign exchange on arrival was issued by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, according to him, the policy is a cross-ministerial 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 application of on-arrival foreign exchange, input is needed from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy so as not to cause an effect on other sectors after the regulation is revoked.

"The on arrival virus was issued by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, but the inclusion was from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, and from the regions. So, no, there was also an evaluation from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. Invite the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy how this is evaluated by regional leaders," he said.