The Directorate General of Immigration has officially postponed the introduction of the new red and white Indonesian passport design, originally scheduled for release on August 17, 2025, to coincide with the country’s 80th Independence Day.
The decision was made following a policy evaluation influenced by Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 1 of 2025 concerning budget efficiency across ministries and government institutions.
“After going through a thorough evaluation, the Directorate General of Immigration decided to postpone the implementation of the red and white design passport,” said Acting Director General of Immigration, Yuldi Yusman, in a written statement on Friday, 18 July 2025.
“This decision was taken with full consideration and responsibility, and involved many parties.”
Prioritise Budget Efficiency
Yuldi explained that budget efficiency requirements compelled the Directorate General to reassess its policy agenda and focus on programmes that demonstrate greater urgency and impact on public services.
The passport redesign, which was introduced in August 2024, was set to commemorate national identity with a new visual appearance aligned with the Indonesian flag.
However, further consideration revealed a need to shift resources towards improving service systems and digital infrastructure.
“The budget policy encourages us to be more selective in designing work programmes, especially those related to public services,” he said. “Of course, by taking into account the level of urgency and economic dynamics that are rolling.”
The Directorate General of Immigration has also been actively reviewing public opinion since the design was first introduced.
Between August 2024 and July 2025, an analysis of 1,642 social media uploads revealed a significant preference among the public for policies that prioritise the functional enhancement of Indonesian passports over aesthetic changes.
“Our analysis shows that the public expects government policies to focus more on strengthening the substance of passports globally,” Yuldi said.
“The sample of uploads also shows the public’s tendency towards service policies with a more concrete impact and in line with the principles of efficiency and prioritisation of public needs.”
Focus Shifts to Digital-Based Services and System Enhancement
In light of these findings and limited budget allocation, the Directorate General of Immigration will prioritise the development of digital-based systems to enhance immigration services and monitoring processes.
This includes innovations that go beyond physical redesigns, aiming for efficiency, accessibility, and long-term impact.
“With the available budget, the Directorate General of Immigration seeks to maximise immigration services and supervision through the development and maintenance of digital-based systems,” said Yuldi.
“Innovation does not stop at changing physical design, but in the form of strengthening systems and services that are more appropriate.”
Improving the Quality of the Services
Minister of Immigration and Corrections, Agus Andrianto, expressed his support for the decision and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the quality and security of Indonesia’s passport services.
“We thank you for your understanding and support, especially in the face of this adjustment,” Agus stated, as reported by Detiknews.
“The Directorate General of Immigration’s innovations will continue, with a focus on long-term development to strengthen passports through increased digital security and service efficiency.”
Yuldi concluded that the temporary postponement does not signal an end to strategic efforts in passport policy.
“It should be underlined that the postponement of this policy does not mean that the focus on strengthening Indonesian passports has stopped,” he said.
“Strategic steps involving relevant government agencies and all Indonesian people are needed, and we hope we can all support each other to strengthen the Indonesian passport.”
