September 10, 2025 | 10:36 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian diaspora in Switzerland chose to engage in dialogue to convey their demands to the government. Held at the Indonesian Embassy in Bern, about 15 Indonesian diaspora in Switzerland met with Ngurah Swajaya, the Indonesian Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, on Monday, September 8, 2025.
In addition to direct dialogue, Indonesian diaspora members in Switzerland who could not attend due to limited capacity or who did not receive an invitation could participate in the dialogue via Zoom. At least 20 Indonesian diaspora in Switzerland participated in the dialogue through Zoom.
Indonesian diaspora in Switzerland read out several demands, such as the removal of the national police chief, the approval of the Asset Seizure Law, and the release of detained protesters. The Indonesian diaspora in Switzerland also scrutinized the performance of the Indonesian Embassy in Bern.
The presence of damaged passport machines, slow service, excessive service to officials visiting Switzerland, and allegations of embassy staff working part-time as travel agents.
"We are trying to provide the best possible service for Indonesian citizens in Switzerland. However, the damaged passport machine here makes the service less than optimal," said Ngurah Swajaya.
The Indonesian Embassy could not confirm the arrival date of the new machine from Jakarta. "If I say for certain, but it hasn't arrived, it will be troublesome," he said.
Regarding the replacement of some of the expensive fees for obtaining a new passport, Ngurah Swajaya could not promise it. "Everything needs to be coordinated with Jakarta," he said.
Regarding service to officials visiting Switzerland, Ngurah Swajaya admitted that they would not provide excessive service. "But if it concerns official duty and national interest, we will assist," he said.
This service, according to Ngurah Swajaya, only facilitates meetings with Swiss officials. "If it involves going here and there, we are not capable either," he said.
Ngurah Swajaya also denied that Indonesian Embassy staff in Bern work part-time as travel agents. "This is not justified," he said.
According to Ngurah Swajaya, the Indonesian Embassy in Bern has never recommended specific travel agencies to its state guests. For transparency, the Indonesian Embassy in Bern has created a list of travel agents on its website. The same applies to Indonesian culinary businesses in Switzerland. "The guests choose for themselves," said Ngurah Swajaya.
Through this dialogue, the Indonesian diaspora in Switzerland canceled their plan to take to the streets. "To organize a demonstration, there must be money and time. Now, who has both, I hope the dialogue with the Indonesian Embassy in Bern will yield positive results," said Nitha Mueller, one of the Indonesian diaspora in Switzerland.
Krisna Diantha contributed to this article
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