Transnational marriage a problem in Indonesia

Since the Suharto days Indonesia has had a mistrust of foreigners. We make the government nervous, because they can’t control us. We have access to the foreign press, foreign consulates and often speak up on issues that Indonesian citizens won’t.

Part of control mechanism Indonesia has in regard to foreigners is the law regarding marriage. A child of an Indonesian women married to a western man is considered a foreigner. An Indonesian woman cannot sponsor her husband and the husband has total rights to the child if they split.

The people who make these kind of rules are scared old men who believe the world is out to get them. You can find this variety in every country. The growing number of wealthy expat in Jakarta, plus the openness of President SBY has meant there may be a change in the law sometime which will be a bonus for everyone.

The other day Ika told me about a group of Indonesian women who like to get together. They are all married to expats and have other group in Jakarta. The purpose is to discuss problems and share solutions. Ika said that was a good idea, although she had heard some of these type of groups in Jakarta are just excuses to show of their diamonds.