balinews
Immigration officials in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), have deported eight American citizens for conducting social activities in Lombok without permits from the relevant institutions.Grouped as International Medical Relief volunteers, the seven women and one man were flown home from Lombok International Airport (LIA) in Central Lombok on Monday."They provided medical services without permits in Karang Nangka subdistrict, Tanjung district, North Lombok," immigration office head Kurniadie said on Wednesday.They were spotted during a raid conducted in North Lombok on March, 11, while offering medical services in Karang Nangka subdistrict independently without being affiliated with any local organization.They entered Indonesia between Feb. 25 and March 9, using the short visit visa-free facility effective for 30 days. They had no permits or recommendation from the local health or social affairs agencies."This is a violation of the law," said Kurniadie, adding that the eight had violated Article 75 (1) of Law No 6/2011 on immigration and Article 2 of Health Ministerial Regulation No 67/2013 on foreign health worker utilization.[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/03/22/american-volunteers-deported-from-lombok-.html[/URL]
harryopal
I suppose they were all well intentioned, high minded people trying to help the needy but given the CIA's record of misusing volunteers for nefarious purposes the Indonesians have a right to be suspicious. And I guess the use of a vaccination programme to hone in on the whereabouts of Osama Bin Ladan is a lesson that will not be soon forgotten.
