January 5, 2023
JAKARTA – Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly ordered on Wednesday the newly installed Director-General for Immigration Silmy Karim to begin work on digitizing services provided especially for foreigners coming into the country.
Yasonna said the new director-general could copy the success of other countries that conduct immigration reform.
“[The new director-general] can study other countries which can dispense speedy immigration services […] I also expect the new official to create changes that involve relevant stakeholders. The key is technology and digitization,” said Yasonna, a senior politician of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).
On Wednesday, Yasonna inaugurated Silmy, former president director of state-owned metal maker PT Krakatau Steel as the new director-general for immigration, replacing interim official Widodo Ekatjahjana.
In his speech, Yasonna asked Silmy to improve services for foreigners using visas on arrival and the non-electronic temporary stay permits (ITAS). Silmy, in his speech during the inauguration, said he would create innovation in public services provided by the immigration office.
“Also, the immigration office should be at the forefront in protecting the country’s sovereignty,” he said.