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Immigration office deports OZ tourism operator without permit
Syofiardi Bachyul Jb , The Jakarta Post , Padang | Mon, 11/17/2008 10:51 AM | The Archipelago
Australian tour operator Rick Lochiel Cameron will on Monday be deported by the Padang Immigration Office, West Sumatra, for staying in the country on expired documents.
Demmy Sarwa, head of the immigration office, said Cameron's temporary stay permit (KITAS) expired on Saturday and he should have applied for a new one a month ago.
"But to date, he hasn't done so. He will have no time to do so because our office is closed on weekends," Demmy told The Jakarta Post on Friday afternoon.
He added his office had sent a letter on Nov. 3 regarding the matter to PT Mentawai Wisata Bahari, the company where Cameron worked as marketing manager, but received no response.
"Three days ago, the company tried to apply (for a KITAS for Cameron) but failed to submit the IMTA (license to employ a foreign worker) from the provincial manpower agency," Demmy said.
An IMTA is a prerequisite for the issuance of a KITAS.
Cameron is allegedly involved in a bankruptcy case in his home country that has seen the Australian government seize A$1 million of his assets. A deadline has reportedly been set for him to settle the case by 2010 at the latest.
Responding to the report, Demmy said his office had acknowledged the case through an e-mail sent by the Australian government.
But he denied it had anything to do with his office's plan to deport Cameron. "This is purely an administrative matter regarding the extension of his stay permit," he stressed.
Mentawai Wisata Bahari general manager Rita Marina said the company had failed to apply for the new KITAS for Cameron earlier because the provincial manpower office had yet to issue the IMTA.
"I just don't understand why. It's usually a smooth process," Rita said.
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Mentawaifusion — Tue, 12/02/2008 - 2:13pm
Rick was never deported and never at risk of being deported. Rick was attacked by another Australian while eating a meal at a popular Padang restaurant. The "contractor" came from behind and tried to strangle him... it turns out the assailant was being paid or rewarded with shares in a resort if he could get Rick kicked out of the country. As so often is the case, it was a foreigner who corrupted by paying to get what he wanted regardless of the law. All Ricks papers were in order. Manpower refused to process without any written explanation. Immigration did not have choice but to issue an EPO. Rick flew to Singapore for treatment after the attack and he is now back in Padang. Of course the Jakarta Post journalist is not interested in THIS news story. I wonder why? There is a lot more that will be exposed when the court case is over. Rick's company has lodged a police report and is suing a Bali based tuna fishing company PT Laut Menari who employ the "contractor"....
Rizal Munir (not verified) — Thu, 11/27/2008 - 11:07am
Good Job Immigration ! We are proud of you for being straight.
This kind of people must be deported! They felt superior against or Indonesian proud. We support you Immigration.
Korn (not verified) — Mon, 11/24/2008 - 5:15pm
To David K.
Do you always wear your heart on your corporate sleeve and pour
feelings about life achievements online to an audience full of strangers.
Are we impressed ... No - Do we care ... Sorry.
Korn Cimaja / Jawa Barat.
Bingun (not verified) — Sun, 11/23/2008 - 8:04am
Harry C. wrote:
1. " i don't think this article should be regarded as a headline" and second...
2. "why don't this guy just follow the rule of the country he's been living in, you are Australian, show them that we have integrity!"
Perhaps these are the answers to Harry's questions:
1. If a respected Indonesian businessman was deported after 15 years working successfully in Australia, Malaysia or Saudi Arabia, you would want to know how such a thing could happen. Why wasn't his work permit issued on time, when previously it was always issued smoothly" with no problems? The real question is WHY "the manpower office had yet to issue the IMTA"
2. It seems from this report that he did attempt to follow the rules, the same as he had done over the previous 15 years. The "integrity" of the manpower office seems to be the only issue in question. WHY wasn't the permit issued in time to prevent his deportation? Has the Immigration department even bothered to phone the Manpower department to ask why, before commencing expensive deportation procedures?
Bingun (not verified) — Sat, 11/22/2008 - 8:11am
Your reporter needs to ask the provincial manpower office why it has not yet issued the IMTA (licence to employ a foreign worker). When was it applied for? Why the delay? He's been generating business and contributing to tourism expansion for over 15 years, so surely an IMTA has been issued before. Why the problem now? Is it just another case of government corruption? Or laziness?
Adi Kusamo (not verified) — Fri, 11/21/2008 - 7:35pm
I think we need more people like David K. True nationalists who care about the countries and the people. Not the corrupt who only want to become rich quick thinking only short-term.
Indonesians should stop to imitate foreign practices, gadgets, fashions and be proud of the Indonesian heritage. We should not become the slave of foreign import goods like hp, fast-food chains, unhealthy softdrinks, motorcycles, pc...
Foreigners don't have to preach. Look at the huge banking crisis. All the scandals in multinationals. Or Australia's record and xenofobia on immigration. Just because they speak some kind of English they think they still rule the world. The foreigners with a respectful mentality who adapt to Indonesia and do something for the country and people can stay. I am afraid of the current expats and ngo's not many will be left then because they are there to sqeeze out a profit by selling things we don't need or sucking out our resources.
Harry C. (not verified) — Thu, 11/20/2008 - 9:43pm
Why should anyone discuss matters of tourism sector or Indonesian surf sector or even the 15 year old pioneering tourism company which struggles with market climate?
It is an article regarding someone who has his permit expired and failed to sort things on time that he has to be sent back to Australia.
First of all, i don't think this article should be regarded as a headline, second, why don't this guy just follow the rule of the country he's been living in, you are Australian, show them that we have integrity!
Jim L. Vuetti (not verified) — Thu, 11/20/2008 - 9:25pm
Indonesian Immigration is doing the right thing,by the book, sending back a guy with expired permit can't be called "hitting on foreigner", if we were to show other country that we are setting example by not defending someone who's done wrong even if he's our fellow countryman!
Bravo Indonesian Immigration!
David K. — Thu, 11/20/2008 - 7:37pm
curiosity Jimmy R. Are you Indonesian? Are you Australian, German, American, etc etc? There is more to this country then a superficial beauty. The culture, the history, the very foundation of the pancasila is things to be proud of, I’m sorry that I have a tendency towards nationalism and patriotism as if you are Indonesian you clearly don’t. Yes there are wrong things in this country, but foriegners deem my country (as you so clearly stated that there is nothing to be proud of this country so i'll assume you are not a part of it) as their playground. Playground in the sense of coming here and telling us what we can and cannot do with our natural resources, how to run our government, banking systems, how to live, what is humane and what isn’t. While trying to exploit people out of land, homes, and possible income (please don’t insult me by saying that doesn’t happen as foreign companies go to villages and do that very thing) making a huge profit in my country, without any regard for the social welfare of those they are “raping”.
What is wrong with lowering dependency on foreign aide and investment? Country such as Indonesia which has the capacity to be a leader in agriculture export, and natural resources (coal, oil, timber) if done correctly for the people, would allow us to greatly surpass our neighbouring countries.
There is no such thing as a perfect system, as America has clearly shown us with the failure of capitalism, and Russia before in their downfall in Communism. What do you wish us to do. Bend over and prostitute ourselves to every country and be the Bahamas or the Virgin Islands of the Asian pacific?
When I read comments from individuals like Jimmy R. that truly saddens me as if he is truly Indonesian, beyond the complaining he would be trying to do something.
I wish to toot my horn for a bit. My company is 100% Indonesian, it isn’t a large company but it’s 100% Indonesian, I have built it with the sole aim for the past 5 years of increasing the livelihood of my countrymen(and women and children) I have no NGO backings, foreign aid, or foreign investment, yet I build schools orphanages, pay taxes, and still maintain a comfortable life style. From here I try to encourage people less fortunate to rise above their station or financial ring through hard work, and to not listen to these NGO’s (or LSM’s) to improve themselves financially through their own hard work and innovation, and to not think because someone is a foreigner they are better, or that it is good that they are helping us. Looking abroad, and travelling I know the basic tenent of the outside world is that nothing is free. Why am I doing it you may ask? Because I’m sick of the mentality of people such as yourself that deem Indonesia lesser then other countries, so give up on it yet continue to enjoy the benefits of living here (or if you don’t then good for you). It’s like leaving your mother on the side of the road because she is sick and rather hang out with your mother in law cause well she is rich, and healthy.
Jimmy R. (not verified) — Thu, 11/20/2008 - 3:16pm
When you read the comments from Adi Kusamo and David K. that you are not surprised in what state this country is in. Hitting on the foreigners left in the country won't help, it will make it worse. I always wonder where this pride is coming from. Besides the beauty of the country is not much positive to report. Wake up guys!