Another head scratching moment for me and the people who assist me comes when, as an Indonesian passport holder, I plan to travel outside of the ASEAN region. Applying for entry visas requires filling out stacks of documents and tedious preparation is necessary and at the end I always feel overwhelmed. Someone suggested to me that I change nationality to make it easier whenever I need to travel overseas. You know, for citizens of some countries, they have visa waivers so they can just jump up and go overseas anytime they want. As a spontaneous person I feel this visa issue burdens me a lot. When I am in the mood for travel I need to check entry requirements first, and then have to start applying for visas. Depending on the country and my luck (and so far I have been lucky), I will get a visa approved in 1-2 weeks. But, hey, the spontaneity may not be there anymore.
Your comments:
Compared to other countries I've visited, I believe Indonesia is very hospitable. Yes, despite the Situ Gintung and other tragedies. I traveled and lived in Italy in the early 1980s, in the US in the late 1980s and in Germany last year. I still am proud to be Indonesian. In the 80s, because we were the anchor of stability in SE Asia and in the 2000s because we are still (despite all odds) the anchor of stability, by and large.
Yes we've got our political downsides that make me sad (1965, 1998) the spate of Wahabian bombings in the early 2000s, but we realized that we will remain a nation. Indonesia is a country which provides opportunity for the members of the working class (myself included) for so long as they are willing to invest hard work, persistence and goodwill.
Despite my humble background (and also those of others, I believe), I come to see it in my life that I could travel, study, and work all over the world where I wish, and have a relatively decent life. I wonder if other countries can provide the same without putting me into the membership of "minorities" in their society.
Sigit Mursidi
I couldn't agree more with you. Yeah, we are overwhelmed with a lot of problems but I do believe that we are moving forward. Thanks for your article.
Suryantara
This article made me muse and cry. You're right that we are Indonesian and we must be proud of it.
A.H. Subarda
Great article. Just need to address a few of your topics. The reason that first world countries require visas is because they have a problem with "Overstayers'' and "Illegal Immigrants'' coming to their countries.
This causes a significant cost to that country in terms of non-taxation and also if the person has to be repatriated to their country of origin at that country's expense
Entry Visas and things like making sure the visitor/traveler/immigrant has money are to ensure that if they need to travel home, they don't get stuck in that country. Would Indonesian taxpayers be happy if I came there and then asked for a free flight home as I had overstayed my visa, or spent all my money? I do not think so.
Rod
Sydney
Actually it can be a blessing in disguise for some bonafide RI passport holders. Usually when traveling to the United States for pleasure visa holders get an automatic six months stay at the discretion of the border control. Visa waivers from Europe and some Asian countries get only 3 months stay and yet they are still scrutinized at the border.
Now all visa waivers traveling to the U.S. as of January 2009 must fill out an electronic travel agreement prior to traveling to the US and an approval will be processed within three days. If entry is denied, queue up at the American Embassy abroad for a visa. Going to the European or American embassy to get a visa is no hassle if you are able to prove who you are, that you are financially secure and that you still have ties to your own country.
Any foreigners traveling to Indonesia may be scrutinized at the port entry and it is normal since immigration officers all over the world enjoy displaying a power trip. If you are a bonafide traveler why worry about entering a foreign country unless you have a guilty conscience?
Changing nationality won't help a bit but it may relax your conscience. But what's the point since all nationalities traveling anywhere in the world will get scrutinized in some ways due to appearance or having a strange name? It is the truth.
Ed Kristian
