Special IC for Indonesians abroad

KOTA KINABALU: The Indonesian government will be producing a special identification card for its nationals living and working abroad.

According to Indonesia’s Consul General to Sabah, Akhmad DH Irfan, the ‘Kartu Masyarakat Indonesia Luar Negeri’ (Indonesia Diaspora Card) will contain the personal details of the holder.

With the card, it would not be necessary for Indonesians living and working abroad to carry their passport with them all the time, Akhmad said yesterday.

“The card will also be issued to the Indonesian Diaspora, including foreigners who have made our country their second home.

“They will be entitled to certain rights such as opening bank accounts and purchasing land in Indonesia,” he stressed.

Indonesians who have been issued with the blue Malaysian identity cards are also eligible for this card.

With about 450,000 Indonesian nationals and 50,000 of the country’s Diaspora in Sabah, Akhmad said they hope to be able to issue the card by September.

“We will also be informing Malaysian and Sabah authorities about the card to avoid any confusion in the future when it is used by Indonesians in the state,” he said, adding that the Consulate is prepared to process and produce the card for its nationals once it gets the instruction from the Indonesian government.

Akhmad disclosed that the Indonesian government has agreed to have an Immigration Attaché posted to the Consulate here in the state capital. The attaché, who will begin duties on September 5, will look into all immigration issues and work closely with his counterparts in Sabah, he said.