LIVE: Diskusi Publik: Menguji Wacana Perluasan Bebas Visa: Peluang atau Ancaman?

Overview

A public discussion at Pancasila University examined Indonesia’s discourse on expanding visa-free travel (“Bebas Visa Kunjungan/BVK”): whether it will bring economic and tourism benefits or create risks for sovereignty, security, and labor protection.

Framing and Purpose

• Organizers emphasized that the issue is strategic and must be assessed through objective, data-based dialogue, not to “pick sides.”
• Visa-free policies are expected to:
  • Increase tourist arrivals
  • Improve Indonesia’s image
  • Encourage investment
  • Support economic activity
• Speakers also warned of potential downsides, including:
  • National security and immigration control
  • Misuse of stay privileges
  • Social/order impacts
  • Employment and labor market risks

Key Arguments from Speakers

1) Immigration’s “selective + firm but friendly” approach (Hendar Samarantoko)

The discussion described Immigration as having four core functions:

• Services
• Security/sovereignty
• Law enforcement
• Facilitation of economic development (including tourism and investment)

Policy logic presented:

• Indonesia cannot be “anti-tourism,” but must apply selective entry—allowing foreigners who are “useful” and do not disturb security/sovereignty.

Concerns and evidence:

• Visa-free visits reportedly increased tourist numbers after earlier expansions, but security/sovereignty risks have become evident, including cases of low-quality arrivals and rule violations.

Proposed direction:

• Continue enforcement without being repressive
• Improve coordination with other ministries (e.g., Foreign Affairs and tourism stakeholders)
• Prioritize quality tourism and qualified visitors, not just quantity

2) Sovereignty and reciprocity benchmark; problems with “numbers vs reality” (Hikmahanto Juana)

Guiding principles:

• Visa-free policy should be guided by reciprocity (especially among ASEAN)
• Also include selection for other countries based on fit and risk

Critique:

• The speaker challenged potential mismatch between tourism KPI statistics and real outcomes—such as visitor behavior and benefits that do not “trickle down.”

Key risks highlighted:

• Visa-free loopholes enabling illegal stays and attempts to claim protection (e.g., asylum/refugee routes) after entry
• Insufficient capacity for supervision/enforcement in certain contexts
• Social tensions triggered by incidents and a perceived lack of firmness

Overall message:

• Expand only carefully; do not “open widely” in a way that undermines sovereignty.

3) Employment law perspective: visa-free can enable illegal work (Adnan Hamid)

Employment-focused argument:

• Visa-free entry can be used as a channel for illegal employment, threatening Indonesian workers’ rights and job opportunities.

Core emphasis:

• A constitutional duty exists to advance prosperity and protect citizens’ right to decent work.

Main concern:

• Legal/administrative gaps after changes (e.g., Omnibus Law) can reduce employers’ obligations to plan foreign labor needs, enabling work through loopholes.

Limitations of immigration enforcement alone:

• Deportation/repatriation may not deter employers.

Suggested measures:

• Stronger sanctions targeting employers
• Coordination with the Ministry of Manpower
• Verification of permits such as IMTA/RPTKA and employer compliance
• Better supervision mechanisms for foreign workers entering under visa-free terms

4) Risk-based supervision and data/technology-enabled monitoring (Khairul Fahmi)

Moderate, systems-focused view:

• Visa-free travel will attract both legitimate travelers and potential criminals (e.g., fraud, trafficking, drug couriers, transnational crime).

Policy challenge:

• Differentiate risk without blocking legitimate movement.

Proposed principle:

• Selective should be risk-based—not strict for all and not loose for all.

Monitoring approach:

• Predictive/preventive monitoring using traveler/behavioral data before arrival
• Stronger digital infrastructure and better coordination among stakeholders

Important caveat:

• Technology alone is insufficient; it must be paired with effective intelligence, coordination, and evaluation.

5) DPR Commission 13 viewpoint: visa waiver may not be the real driver; improve ecosystem and maintain PNBP (Sugiat Santoso)

Position:

• Commission 13 acknowledged the intent is economic, but questioned whether visa-free expansion truly increases tourism meaningfully.

Core claims:

• Waiving visa fees is not the main solution; Indonesia must improve the tourism ecosystem:
  • Services
  • Culture
  • Cleanliness
  • Infrastructure
  • Tourism awareness
• Indonesia should maintain/raise PNBP rather than sacrificing immigration revenue for tourism gains
• Other countries may raise fees/charges while Indonesia exempts—seen as a policy inconsistency
• The discussion also raised improving protection for Indonesians abroad (e.g., immigration attachés/representation)

Discussion Questions and Closing Consensus Themes

Questions raised:

• Can the “benefit principle” justify visa-free expansion given the risks?
• Are the benefits driven by the policy itself, or by weak supervision/law enforcement?
• How can employment protection be ensured?

Closing convergence themes:

• Visa-free travel should deliver net benefits, but only with:
  • Tight supervision
  • Coordination across ministries
  • Strong sanctions for violations
• Expansion should be adaptive, based on risk assessment, with regular evaluation
• Economic goals should not undermine:
  • Sovereignty
  • Protection of Indonesian workers/citizens

Presenters / Contributors (as named in the subtitles)

• Hendar Samarantoko — Director General of Immigration, Ministry of Immigration and Corrections
• Lisda Syamsumardian — Acting Dean, Faculty of Law, Pancasila University (moderator)
• Hikmahanto Juana — Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia
• Adnan Hamid — Chancellor, Pancasila University
• Sri Widyastuti — Vice Chancellor 2, Pancasila University
• Sugiat Santoso — Deputy Chairman, Commission 13, Indonesian House of Representatives
• Khairul Fahmi — Co-Founder, SSIS/Institute for Security and Strategic Studies
• Eko Budianto — represented DG Immigration / Director of Visas and Travel Documents
• Yesaya Christopher — Main Director, Halo News
• Sber Raja(s) Ginting — Editor-in-chief, Halo News
• Yasin / Wahyu Wahyu Hidayat — student questioner (name appears unclear in subtitles; subtitles suggest “Wahyu Hidayat”)
• Fikialaki — student questioner, Pancasila University Faculty of Law
• Raden Nanda Setiawan — lecturer, criminal law department, Pancasila University Faculty of Law
• Rafi / raff’i — mentioned as part of closing handover/host segment (name appears unclear in subtitles)
• Prayoga — mentioned as Halo News editor in plaque handover (name appears in subtitles)
• Cikita Ravenska — Director of Social Media, Halo News
• Wahyu Wibisono — Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Halo News