EXPATS PROTECTION CONSTUTIONAL OBLIGATION: DEPUTY INDONESIAN FM

Jakarta, 26 Jumadil Akhir 1435/26 April, 2014 (MINA) – The Deputy of Foreign Affairs Minister of Republic Indonesia, Wardana, stated the protection of Indonesian citizens in foreign countries is a national priority as mandated in the constitution.

“One of  our main agenda is protecting Indonesian citizens wherever they are and its become the national agenda,” Wardana said in an official-magazine “Peduli” launching, Wednesday in  its  headquarters.

Wardana also said the President of Republic of Indonesia wrote both personaly and officially letter to other countries leader as the effort to protect Indonesian expatriates. He pointed out that in 2013, there are 101 thousand citizens overstayer in Saudi Arabia, and Indonesian government has made a strategic steps in  dealing with it.

Wardana added, in the period of January to April 2014, there are 81.8 percent cases has handled by the government, 182 Indonesian expats are exempt from punishment, 18 were to death penalty cases, while there were 28 cases arises.

The citizen’s expectation to the protection of expats is very highly arise. Therefore, the government needs good communication and strategic moves to do their jobs well. So, that’s why the “Peduli” magazine is launched.

“We plan 2014 is a year of public relations as our effort to protect Indonesian expats,” Wardana added.

Meanwhile, the chairman of Protocol and Consular Affairs of Indonesian Foreign Ministry, Ahmad Rusdi said public communication is very important to handle the cases, like death penalty, overstayed, and repatriation from the conflict area.

The chairman Legal Aid and Protection of Indonesian expats, Tatang Razak said in the past few years, there are 88 thousand Indonesian expats cases, with smuggling and human trafficking  is the major one.(L/Nidia/P04/P03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)