DEN HAAG (24/10/2023) – Indonesian citizens living abroad can now apply for an electronic passport at the Indonesian Missions abroad, whose issuance system has been integrated with SIMKIM (Immigration Management Information System). This policy was confirmed by the Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim, in a coordination meeting with Immigration Attachés from 22 Indonesian Embassies around the world on Tuesday (24/10/2023) at 10.50 Den Haag time.

"The Directorate General of Immigration continuously evaluates immigration policies. In the context of passports, there is a need for Indonesian citizens living abroad to be able to access electronic passport services easily. Especially for professionals and frequent travelers," said Silmy.

He explained that ease of access to electronic passport for these subjects is important because of its advanced features compare to ordinary passport. This affects the visa application process to countries that provide easier visa approval preferences for electronic passport users.

"So holding an electronic passport makes Indonesian citizens who travel frequently to feel more confident in applying for a visa," he said.

At the inauguration of the electronic passport service at the Indonesian Mission abroad, the Director General of Immigration symbolically handed over the Indonesian electronic passport to the Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands, H. E. Mayerfas. Silmy also gave electronic passports, which were first issued, to two (2) Indonesian citizens in the Netherlands. "Hopefully it will be beneficial for Indonesian living abroad," he said.

Electronic passports contain more complete data, namely facial biometric data and the holder's fingerprints. This data is stored on the chip and can be scanned. Some of the conveniences that electronic passport holders get include visa-free facilities for short visits to Japan by preregistration method. Apart from that, Indonesian citizens who apply for a visa to European countries can get a longer visa validity period compared to applying for a visa using an ordinary non-electronic passport.

"I always emphasize to all levels of immigration officials to continue improving services to the community and add new immigration products/policies as well as easier ways to obtain them. Hopefully this will improve

DEN HAAG – The Directorate General of Immigration (DGI) of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham) attended a Courtesy Call with the Indonesian Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands, Monday (23/10/2023) at 19.00 local time. In this event, the Indonesian Ambassador and the delegation of Kemenkumham exchanged information regarding the activities of Indonesian citizens (WNI) in the Netherlands as well as several aspects of Dutch Government policy in maintaining public order and in the economic sector.

On this occasion, the Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim, expressed his appreciation for the Courtesy Call invitation from the Indonesian Ambassador. He hopes that the meeting will also be an opportunity to strengthen good relations between the DGI and the Indonesian Embassy in the Netherlands.

"The presence of the Kemenkumham delegation, especially the DGI in The Hague, aims to discuss the implementation of immigration policy at Indonesian Missions all over the world," said the Director General of Immigration.

Meanwhile, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Netherlands, H. E. Mayerfas, shared information about several aspects of Indonesian living in the Netherlands, including social life, religion, culture and education.

"In The Hague there are also Indonesian schools, from elementary school (SD) to high school (SMA). However, most students are studying with the PJJ (distance education) system. The students are children of diplomats and Indonesians who work in Dutch companies. The curriculum follows Indonesian curriculum, and the principal is also brought from Indonesia," said Mayerfas.

The Courtesy Call was attended by the Acting Secretary General of Kemenkumham, Reinhard Silitonga, Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim, and Inspector General of

Kemenkumham, Razilu. The event was also attended by the board of directors of the Directorate General of Immigration along with the Hague Immigration Attaché and the Berlin Immigration Attaché.

This Courtesy Call is a pre-activity of a series of Coordination Meetings of Immigration Representative at the Indonesian Embassy from various countries which will take place on 24-27 October 2023 in The Hague. Meanwhile, the next agenda will discuss several immigration policies to be implemented optimally in Indonesian Missions around the world.

Bali, 16 Oktober 2023 – Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ma'ruf Amin, reiterated the big role of Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization ) in voicing the interests of countries in the Asia-Africa region. This was conveyed by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin when giving a speech at the 61^st Annual Session of AALCO in Bali (16/10). On this occasion, the Vice President stated that AALCO was a driving force in fighting for the voices of Asian and African peoples at the global level.

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin emphasized AALCO's big role in voicing the interests of countries in the Asia-Africa region. This was conveyed by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin when giving a speech at the the 61^st Annual Session of AALCO in Bali (16/10). On this occasion, the Vice President stated that AALCO was a driving force in fighting for the voices of Asian and African peoples at the global level.

“The voices of Asian and African peoples are an important element in the formation of international legal architecture. AALCO must be able to be an equal partner with other regional and global organizations and have a strong bargaining position, so that the formation of international legal instruments and regimes is not controlled by countries that traditionally dominate the international legal system," said Vice President Ma'ruf Amin.

AALCO is rooted in the spirit of the times that the international political and legal order must reflect the views and interests of the peoples of Asia and Africa. For example, in this case, the potential of Asian and African countries which are blessed with geographical location and abundant natural resources, on the one hand, also provide their own challenges in eradicating transnational crime.

For example, in cases of illegal fishing and wildlife crime, Asian and African countries are often harmed by criminals who take fish supplies and wild species in the Asia-Africa region. Apart from that, Asian - African countries also often struggle with the complex process of returning assets resulting from transnational crimes that have been taken abroad.

“Transnational crimes and the return of assets resulting from transnational crimes require serious attention from Asian and African countries which are often the victims. We need to strengthen the international legal framework that is in line with the national interests of Asian and African countries," he stressed.

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin then closed his remarks with the message that AALCO must be able to offer solutions and become the actualization of the solutions themselves, as a contribution from Asian-African countries, in realizing a just and civilized world order.

In the morning session, the Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna H. Laoly, was appointed to represent Indonesia as President of the 61^st Annual Session of AALCO. This mandate is something special considering that Indonesia is one of the founding countries of AALCO, which at that time was born from the spirit of the movement of Asian and African peoples to free themselves from the shackles of colonialism and imperialism as a result of the Asian-African Conference in Bandung in 1955.

The Minister of Law and Human Rights will chair the 61^st Annual Session of AALCO from 16 – 20 October 2023, which will talk about previously discussed agendas, as well as new proposals from AALCO member countries.

At the 61^st Annual Session of AALCO this year, as host, Indonesia actively proposed a new agenda, namely regarding the formation of Asset Recovery Expert Forum among Asian-African countries. Apart from that, Indonesia also proposed discussing a new subtopic onthe "Law of the Sea" agenda, namely related toIllegal Fishing as a Transnational Organized Crimeas well as two new subtopics on the"Environment and Sustainable Development"", namely "Combating Transnational Wildlife Crime" and "Strengthening Asian-African Collaboration on Climate Change”.

Indonesia's proposal regarding the Asset Recovery Expert Forum as a strengthening effort to recover assets resulting from transnational crimes, the issue of illegal fishing as an organized transnational crime, the issue of cross-border wildlife crime, as well as cooperation between Asian and African countries regarding climate change are important things to pay attention to, not only for Indonesia, but also for Asian and African countries.

"Let's use the opportunity at this 61^st Annual Session of AALCO to rekindle the spirit of cooperation between Asian and African countries. This spirit, which has its roots in the historic 1955 Asian-African Conference in Bandung, will remain at the heart of our shared aspirations.

It is time for us to not only discuss legal issues, but also reflect on the results of the Asia-Africa Conference and its principles to continue to guide our collective efforts. This annual session is a testament to our commitment to the vision of Asia and Africa, working together for a brighter future,” said Yasonna on his opening remarks as President of the 61^st Annual Session of AALCO.

Further information about AALCO and information regarding the event of 61^st Annual Session of AALCO can be seen at https://www.aalco.int/.