UNAIR NEWS – The rate of Indian immigrants trying to flee their country due to the Covid-19 tsunami is a big concern for many countries, including Indonesia. On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, the government stated that 153 Indian foreign nationals (WNA) entered Indonesia, and according to the latest developments, 49 of them were positive for Covid-19.
Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) International Relations expert I Gede Wahyu Wicaksana, S.IP., M.Si., Ph.D. highlighted the role of immigration in this situation. Wahyu said that immigration is actually one of the forefront of national security during a pandemic.
“It will be a problem if the immigration authorities, including the government, do not emphasize policies at the border. Especially now that a new variant of double mutation B.1.617 from India has entered Indonesia. Not to mention other variants from England and South Africa, ” he explained.
Wahyu sees that Indonesian immigration is still weak compared to other countries. Singapore and Malaysia, for example, apply very strict immigration policies, rejecting Indian foreigners. Dubai, which still excuses Indian foreigners, still carries out a very selective screening.
Although the Indonesian government tries to keep the economy moving, Wahyu reminded that it cannot be an excuse for immigration to relax its guard.
“Actually, we’ve got rules and sanction mechanism on how to prevent the migration of foreign nationals. But the problem lies in the implementation, which is often inconsistent and does not follow the existing regulations, ” he explained.
One of them can be seen in the abuse of authority by individuals at the airport who escaped three people from India without quarantine in exchange for money. Likewise, the government was not responsive in issuing a ban on the arrival of Indian foreigners.
Therefore, the threat to national health security actually originates from an intrinsic state problem. “Instead of the arrival of Indian foreigners, the government should actually focus more on strengthening policies and tightening immigration guarding in the field,” Wahyu added.
Wahyu also reminded government officials to maintain the code of ethics, especially in the midst of many issues of abuse of authority by apparatus for personal gain. Anticipatory steps must also be improved by the government and society.
Considering the characteristics of the population of Indonesia and India which are almost the same, such as large population, low awareness, and the fact that the exodus tradition will soon be happening should be of great concern.
“Security at the border is non-negotiable. The flow of foreign nationals which could potentially threaten should be detained without compromise because it concerns with the security of national security, “he said.
So far, the Indonesian government still allows the presence of foreigners with Limited Stay Permit Card (KITAS) or diplomats in accordance with Permenkumhan Number 26 of 2020 Regarding Visas and Stay Permits in the New Habit Adaptation Period. It had become a polemic, even though the government has now temporarily stopped issuing visas for Indian foreigners.
UNAIR as the best university in Indonesia is committed to encouraging the academic community to contribute to the wider community. (*)
Author: Intang Arifia
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh
