Indonesia, as has most Asian countries and indeed the rest of the world, recognises the value of marine tourism including yachts people as well as cruise ships etc.

Traditionally whilst Indonesia has sought the cruising yacht person, rallies etc and has spent a considerable amount on promotion and infrastructure to encourage this activity (bringing yes $billions into their economy as told by them) the process has been complex with CAIT, (cruising yacht permits) and visas as well as limited timeframes.

Well the Indonesian Tourism and Marine Departments are currently touring areas well known for gathering yachts persons and promoting their new easy scheme for yachtspeople choosing to visit Indonesia. I had the opportunity to participate in one of these workshops.

What does this mean? In essence:
* NO more CAIT's - yes they have been done away with
* Visas on entry free (but if you are an Australian see below!)
* Massive de-regulation

This is provided in President Decree 104/2015 and 105/2015.

President Decree 104 of 2015 provides for free visa regulation for 90 countries which means "just enter Indonesia and stay for 30 days".
But wait for the punchline - of those 90 countries included in this scheme including New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, Singapore, Vatican City, Japan, Canada and many other credible first world countries BUT Australia is NOT included. Yes, that is correct, Australia is deliberately NOT in that list. The officials will not answer why, but we all know why, (do unto others as they do to you - an old parable!), they just give a nervous laugh and move on.

President Decree 105 of 2015 is in regards to the ease and convenience permits for sailing vessels or yachts to enter Indonesia, in the field of customs, immigration and port. The convenience permit includes the liberalisation of CIQP (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, Port Clearance) no more CAIT (Clearance Approval for Indonesian Territory) and TIP (Temporary Import Permit). It also proposes expenditure and development of Marinas, Navigation Aids and Ports.

These are the exact opposite of policies in Australia, a country now avoided by cruising yachts due to red tape, bureaucracy, rampant officialdom with no controls, and a "Border Force" mentality - keep everyone OUT at all cost, they are all criminals!! If they do wish to come and spend money here make it as difficult, oppressive and offensive as possible - that should teach them a lesson for their abilities to work and earn enough to buy and care for a boat and spend some leisure time learning other cultures and sharing skills, resources and money with other countries around the world.

AUSTRALIAN YACHT MEN AND WOMEN ARE NOT INCLUDED TO BENEFIT FROM THESE BENEFITS BEING OFFERED TO THE WORLD BY INDONESIA AND AUSTRALIA IS WAY BEHIND THE DEVELOPMENT AND ATTITUDES OF GOODWILL TOWARDS OTHERS IN THE SAME WAY.

Where did we go wrong in this country?? What do our Politicians say in defence???

Yes I know I will be punished when I come back to Australia for revealing these truths, but someone has to speak up before the decline continues.

I have previously sent articles to Politicians and others in Australia from global cruising magazines which reveal the cruising world perception on Australia as a destination. Now even other countries will only reciprocate to Australia in the way it treats them! And Australian's are the ones who suffer.

I have attached a small publication from the Indonesian Government:
CLICK HERE TO OPEN PDF

Kind regards,
Chris White

BOB'S NOTE:

Australia has gone out of it's way to annoy Indonesia for some time and on broad fronts.

Everything from tapping the President's and his wife's phones, Indonesian fishing boats being destroyed and crews later found innocent of any transgressions, refugees forcibly returned to Indonesia and escorted by Australian government vessels deep into their territorial waters and the way they slaughter cattle imported from Australia. Our government had a hissy fit about the latter and interrupted the trade which caused Indonesia some embarrassment and threw the business on both sides of the sea into chaos.

This news is likely to damage the marine industry in Australia, Queensland in particular, when it is already in decline. Circumnavigating vessels will have little reason to stop here on their way around and Australian vessels that have spent time in Asia have less reason to return.