TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Expatriates living in Kalibata City will be monitored by the government with the establishment of Secretariat Office of Expatriate Monitoring Team (Timpora) in the South Jakarta apartment. Kalibata City has been given special attention by the government in efforts to monitor expatriates based on Law No. 6/2011 on Immigration.

“We did take into account the high number of expatriates here. So, we hope that we can reduce and eliminate issues [caused] by expatriates,” said the head of South Jakarta Immigration Office yesterday in the inauguration of the office in Kalibata City.

Cucu said that the area hosts 11 thousand expatriates, including in Kalibata, Kebayoran Baru, Kemang, Kuningan and SCBD area. Most of whom are from South Korea, Japan, China and the Middle East.

The most common issue found is residence permit. They are working with only tourist and company visit permits. “They could face 5 year in jail and Rp500 million in fines.”

Head of Regional Office of Jakarta Justice and Human Rights Ministry Dahlan Pasaribu added the reason behind the establishment of Timpora is the ease with which expatriates from 169 countries enter Indonesia without having a visa. The secretariat office replaces the previous monitoring measure of mere coordination and overreliance on Immigration Office.

South Jakarta Mayor Tri Kurniadi hopes that the establishment of Timpora can make Kalibata and South Jakarta area more livable. “Likewise, expatriates who has gone through the appropriate procedures must be protected,” he said.

Head of Tenant Association Musdalifah said that expatriates in Kalibata City Apartment have left other tenants feeling unsettled. They live in up to 20 percent of 13 thousand units of apartment.

“Most claim that they work with the UNHCR, the international organization overseeing displaced immigrants. They have immunity, so they do whatever they want,” she said.

FRISKI RIANA | DANNI M (PDAT)