Saudi Arabia Prohibits Its Citizens From Coming To Indonesia, Foreign Minister Retno Has Not Received An Explanation Of The Reason For The Ban

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi/DOK VOI

JAKARTA - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno LP Marsudi, responded to the news that Saudi Arabian citizens were prohibited from coming to Indonesia due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Apart from Indonesia, Saudi Arabia also prohibits its citizens from traveling to 15 other countries.

Retno said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been proactive in asking Saudi Arabia about this, either through the Indonesian Ambassador in Saudi Arabia or the Saudi Arabian Ambassador in Indonesia. Retno even directly contacted the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister regarding this issue.

"Regarding the Saudi rule that prohibits citizens of 16 countries including Indonesia. So, right after we received the information, we immediately moved, both our representatives, we went through the ambassador here and I communicated directly with the Saudi Foreign Minister", said Retno during a working meeting with House of Representatives Commission I, Tuesday, May 31.

But unfortunately, Retno has not received an answer about the reason why Indonesia is included in the 16 countries that are prohibited for Saudi Arabian citizens to visit.

"So far we have not received a response explaining why Indonesia is in 1 of 16", she said.

According to Retno, it is impossible if the reason for the ban is due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because he said, Indonesia is a country that is quite good at handling COVID-19.

According to Retno, her party has sent data on the development of Indonesia's COVID-19 to Saudi Arabia. "If the reason is the COVID-19 situation, we have conveyed all the data to the Saudis. I think Indonesia is quite good at handling COVID-19 so far", explained Retno.

However, Retno ensured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would again question Saudi Arabia's reasons for this. The reason is, that in early June 2022 there will be a visit by the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister to Indonesia.

"There is a plan for a visit by the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister to Indonesia early next month and this is an opportunity for us to answer the issue", said Retno.

Previously, in addition to House of Representatives Commission I, House of Representatives Commission IX also highlighted the policy of the Government of Saudi Arabia which prohibited its citizens from entering Indonesia on the grounds of the condition of the COVID-19 case. Apart from Indonesia, Saudi Arabia also prohibits its citizens from coming to 15 other countries.

Member of House of Representatives Commission IX, Rahmad Handoyo, admitted that he was surprised by the reason Saudi Arabia banned its citizens because of COVID-19. The reason is, that the current situation in the country has improved.

"I think this is surprising. We are one of the (exceptions, ed) citizens of Saudi Arabia who are prohibited from going to 16 countries including us (Indonesia)", said Rahmad, Tuesday, May 24.

Rahmad actually questioned whether it was true that Saudi Arabia banned its citizens just because of the COVID-19 case.

"I just asked, is this really only limited to COVID-19?", continued Rahmad.