Visitors walk at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 1, 2021. Photo by Reuters
Indonesian authorities are investigating claims that immigration officers in Batam City demanded money from foreign visitors, including Singaporeans, for allowing entry.
Singaporean news site Mothership cited multiple travelers recounting troubling encounters at the Batam Center ferry terminal.
Some were allegedly pressured into paying cash “fines” under unclear or coercive circumstances, Channel News Asia reported.
Kharisma Rukmana, spokesperson for the Immigration Directorate General, said on March 28: “The Immigration Directorate General’s internal compliance directorate is investigating reports.”
Kharisma added that firm action would be taken against any individuals found to have breached regulations.
One Singaporean traveler told Mothership that he and his partner were stopped after using an autogate lane upon arriving in Batam on March 13, and, despite not cutting the queue, were taken to an interrogation room and held for around two hours.
“The officer yelled, confiscated our phones, intimidated us, and demanded a fine of S$100 (US$77.77) per person.”
He eventually paid the amount in cash by placing it under a keyboard, he said.
Similar accounts have surfaced in online reviews on Google Maps and TripAdvisor, but authorities have not confirmed how many officers are under investigation or whether CCTV footage supports the claims.
Located a short ferry ride away from Singapore, Batam is a popular destination known for its beaches, seafood and duty-free shopping, as well as its role as a growing industrial and tourism hub.
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