Foreign Workers Enter RI When Emergency PPKM Is Protested, Luhut: If You Don't Understand The Problem, Don't Talk Too Fast

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan (Photo: maritime.go.id)

JAKARTA - There have been protests from a number of parties, both netizens and figures, against the entry of foreign workers (TKA) from China to Indonesia during the implementation of the Java-Bali emergency PPKM.

In response to this, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan as the coordinator of Emergency PPKM asked the public to understand that the government cannot prohibit all foreigners from entering Indonesia. This, said Luhut, also applies in other countries.

"Actually, there's nothing strange. If someone talks nonsense, doesn't understand the problem, don't be too quick to talk. We must treat it the same as what the other world does, we have to do it like that. I want to. I can't do that," said Luhut in a virtual press conference, Tuesday, July 6.

Therefore, the government has issued rules regarding the requirements and protocols for Indonesian and foreign travelers who come from abroad through the Task Force Circular Letter Number 8 of 2021 and the Task Force SE Addendum Number 8 of 2021.

According to the regulation, Indonesian citizens are allowed to enter Indonesia. Meanwhile, foreigners are generally prohibited from entering Indonesia, except for parties holding KITAP/KITAS, through a bilateral travel corridor arrangement (TCA) agreement, and obtaining special permission in writing from the ministry/institution.

In addition, during the emergency PPKM, Indonesia's entry procedures were also tightened. All travelers entering the country must have a certificate or two-dose vaccination card.

Then, if Indonesian citizens from abroad who enter Indonesia have not been vaccinated, then they will immediately receive the COVID-19 vaccination upon arrival in the country. This vaccination facility does not apply to foreigners. Foreigners who enter Indonesia must be fully vaccinated in two doses.

"All foreigners who come to Indonesia must have a vaccine card. So, people have been vaccinated at least once, we even said twice. Sorry twice. So people cannot come to Indonesia without getting a vaccine card twice," he said. Luhut.

In addition, every traveler who enters Indonesia is still required to show a negative result of the RT PCR test and undergo quarantine for 8x24 hours.

Furthermore, on the seventh day of quarantine, Indonesian citizens and foreigners again underwent RT PCR retest. If the test results are negative, then they can be declared completed quarantine.

"We carry out this procedure and apply it everywhere in the world. Depending on the country, some are 8 days, 14 days, some are 21 days. We see from the results of studies from countries that we think are quite good, we give 8 days," he said.

Previously, it was reported that a number of foreign workers from China entered South Sulawesi during the implementation of the emergency PPKM policy. This was protested by the Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasan.

“This hurts people's sense of justice, and has the potential to make the government considered inconsistent in implementing policies. Don't give the impression that the rules are strictly enforced for the Indonesian people, but look loose for foreigners, both foreign workers and migrants," said Zulhas.

Member of the House of Representatives Commission IX from the PKS Faction, Netty Prasetiyani Aher also questioned the entry of 20 foreign workers from China. According to him, Emergency PPKM does not guarantee the cessation of the spread of the COVID-19 virus, if the implementation of the policy is half-hearted.

"The government must be firm in preventing the entry of foreign workers who are suspected of being a source of transmission. Do not let the public judge the government as just lip service in the COVID-19 control policy!," said Netty.