Posted 03 August 2006 @ 10:42
JAKARTA, 03 August 2006 - The Indonesian Immigration Office has deported five of seven Saudi Arabian nationals arrested on Monday for misusing their visas by entering into short-term marriages with local women, local media reported Thursday. The officials said the five held temporary visit visas but had married women in the Puncak resort in the Jakarta suburb of Bogor in a short-term arrangement.
They were sent home Wednesday on evidence that they violated the 1974 Marriage Law and the immigration law, said The Jakarta Post. The men were identified as Sulaeman Saud A Altraigi, Saad Mousa A Alshamrani, Abdul Rahman Awad A Alshamrani, Mohamad Abdulah Al Muhana and Falleh bin Nghaimesh bin Mahana Al Harbi.
"This country forbids people to engage in contractual marriages, which I'm sure is the same as in their country of origin," said Bogor Immigration Office head Suharyanto.
"Moreover, they have misused their tourist visas by getting married instead of just spending their time on vacation."
The Bogor authorities will continue crackdowns against the practice of foreigners marrying local women to legitimize the short-term sexual relationships. Women's right activists argue the relationships are a form of legalized prostitution. "We will hold a regular operation at residential areas, especially during the holiday season from June to August when most tourists come to stay. I know it's not easy to eliminate contractual marriage practices because it has been going on for quite some time and is seemingly protected by locals," Suharyanto said.
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