Govt to Repatriate 8,000 Indonesians from Saudi Arabia

Jakarta (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Sunday the government will repatriate 8,000 Indonesians who have overstayed their visas in Saudi Arabia in two weeks. "God willing, 8,000 Indonesians who have overstayed their visas will be repatriated in two weeks. I have instructed (the relevant agencies) to repatriate them until to their hometowns," the President said on his twitter. He said 484 of the Indonesians would arrive in Indonesia on Sunday by Garuda Indonesia flight. "I remind regional heads and police personnel of their duties to help the Indonesians who have overstayed their visas in Saudi Arabia, including protecting them against deception and extortion," he said. The Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs is coordinating with the Coordinating Ministry for People's Welfare and the Foreign Ministry in repatriating the Indonesians from Saudi Arabia, presidential spokesman Julian A Pasha said. The government will use the budget fund of the Foreign Ministry to repatriate the Indonesians from Saudi Arabia. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Wardhana said last month the government would repatriate about 18,000 more workers who have overstayed their visas in Saudi Arabia. Of the 18,000 workers, only 4,143 have obtained exit permits from the Saudi government. The Indonesian government will accommodate the workers on flights carrying Hajj pilgrims from the country. There are 7,100 seats available for workers who have overstayed their visas and plan to return to Indonesia. "We will facilitate those who are willing to return to Indonesia at their own expense. For instance, they (the workers) only have to pay US$188 for a plane ticket. We will provide a hotel room free of charge to them where they can wait until their departure," he said. (*)