The government will change the design of the passport, the theme is Indonesian fabric

Replacing the design of the Indonesian passport to strengthen the security system for immigration documents so that they are not easily forged.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Passport applicants submit their documents to immigration officers at the Kompas Institute, Unit II Building of Kompas Gramedia, Palmerah, Jakarta, on Tuesday (18/7/2023). The West Jakarta Class I Immigration Office for Non-TPI is holding an Eazy Passport program for Kompas Gramedia employees.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The government will introduce a new design for Indonesian passports with the theme Insantara cloth on August 17 2024, to coincide with Independence Day. 79 RI. However, its implementation only became effective a year later.

Director General Immigration of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Silmy Karim said the replacement of the passport design was carried out to strengthen the security system according to International Civil Aviation standards Organization (ICAO). The new design is claimed to have stronger security standards so that passports are not easily faked.

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RIAN SEPTIANDI

Silmy Karim, Director General of Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, when interviewed by Kompas at the Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Jakarta, Monday (3/4/2023).

Silmy stated that the new design for the Indonesian passport includes, among others, the color of the cover and the motif on the pages inside the passport. The theme that will be used for the new passport design is the traditional fabric of Nusantara. In addition to the new color, the images on the passport pages will be decorated with various motifs of the typical Nusantara fabric.

"Indonesia has more than 5,000 batik and weaving motifs that need to be preserved. "This new passport design also educates the public that Indonesia is rich in Indonesian fabric motifs," said Silmy, when contacted, Saturday (30/3/2024).

The new design is only applicable for regular passports. Individuals who wish to replace their passport can visit their nearest immigration office starting August 17, 2025. Passport replacement may still require a fee as it relates to non-tax state revenue (PNBP).

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Regarding the new cover color of the Indonesian passport, Silmy is reluctant to reveal it yet. She asked the public to wait for its launch on August 17th. However, she gave a hint that the new color characterizes the uniqueness of Indonesian colors. "The color is in accordance with the typical color of Indonesia," she said.

KOMPAS/IQBAL BASYARI

Passport cover colors from Indonesia, Timor Leste, Malaysia and Singapore

Currently, there are four passport colors in the world, namely green, blue, red, and black. In Indonesia, there are three colors used for different purposes. Regular passports use a green cover, official passports use a blue cover, and diplomatic passports use a black cover.

This new passport design also educates the public that Indonesia is rich in Indonesian fabric motifs.

Meanwhile, the six countries with the title of "strongest passport" according to The Henley Passport Index 2024 use red colored covers. These six countries are France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain. Citizens using passports from these countries can freely access visas to 194 countries.

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As for Indonesia, it ranks 68th among 78 visa-free countries. When compared to 11 countries in Southeast Asia, Indonesia's ranking is in 6th place, below Singapore (1st place), Malaysia (12th place), Brunei Darussalam (21st place), Timor Leste (57th place), and Thailand (64th place).

Silmy said, there are four factors that contribute to the "magic" of passports. First, the habit of overstaying or staying beyond permission in another country. Next, factor in passport security, diplomacy and domestic security.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Immigration officers photographed the faces of passport applicants at the Kompas Institute, Kompas Gramedia Unit II Building, Palmerah, Jakarta on Tuesday (18/7/2023). The Jakarta Barat Non-TPI Class I Immigration Office held the Eazy Passport program for Kompas Gramedia employees.

The reinforcement of the passport security system is expected to contribute to the confidence of other countries in granting visa-free access. Consequently, Indonesia's ranking will increase, and the number of countries that can be visited without visa requirements will also increase.

"We urge the public to use electronic passports that have stronger security systems. This can have an impact on Indonesia's passport security image in the world," he said.

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Separately, a member of the DPR Commission III from the Golkar Party Faction, Supriansa, supports the Directorate General of Immigration's efforts to strengthen Indonesia's passport security system. Moreover, changing the passport design has various benefits to consider.

Changing the passport design is not only for strengthening the security system, but also for introducing Indonesia's distinctive culture. "As long as the change brings benefits and convenience for the Indonesian people, I think the DPR should support it," said Supriansa.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Immigration officers check the documents of prospective Umrah pilgrims at West Java Kertajati International Airport, Majalengka Regency, West Java, Sunday (20/11/2022).

Professor of International Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia, Hikmahanto Juwana, has reminded that the renewal of passport designs should not harm society. For those whose passports have not yet expired, they should not be required to replace them with a new one. Especially if there is a difficult-to-obtain visa with a long validity period, such as a US visa.

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In addition, the government must socialize the new design of the Indonesian passport to other countries. Because there is a transition period before the entire community uses the new passport design. This results in two types of passports circulating and being used by Indonesians abroad.

"Don't let immigration from other countries make mistakes that consider old passports as illegal passports," said Hikmahanto.