Aceh Immigration Arrests 2 Malaysians And Bangladesh Langgar Stay Permits

The Immigration Division of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham) of Aceh Province took action against two foreign nationals who allegedly lived and settled in Indonesian territory without permission.

Head of the Immigration Division of the Aceh Province Kemenkumham Regional Office, Ujo Sujoto, said the two foreign nationals were prosecuted in two separate places in the jurisdiction of the Class I Immigration Office, the Banda Aceh Immigration Checkpoint (TPI).

"Both of them were prosecuted for allegedly violating the residence permit in Indonesia. The two foreign nationals are a Malaysian citizen and a Bangladeshi citizen," said Ujo Sujoto as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, March 4.

The action against the two foreign nationals was carried out in cooperation and synergy between the intelligence of the Banda Aceh Immigration Office and the Dempo Bais TNI Task Force team, Deninteldam Iskandar Muda, and Kodim 0101/Banda Aceh City (KBA) who were members of the foreign surveillance team (Timpora).

The first action was taken against a Malaysian citizen with the initials MS (50) in Witness District, Pidie Regency, on February 27, 2024. MS was arrested at the mosque management's house in Sakti District.

"From the results of the examination, MS has a passport whose validity period has ended. MS is suspected of having excess living in Indonesia for six years. MS entered Indonesia through an immigration checkpoint in Nibung Bay, Tanjung Balai, Asahan, North Sumatra in 2018," he said.

MS entered Indonesian territory with a visa-free facility for 30 days of visit. The goal is to visit Indonesia to visit his wife in Geumpang, Pidie Regency, Aceh Province. However, since entering, MS has never left Indonesia and his passport ends in January 2021.

"MS was arrested after the joint team received information from the public. While in Aceh, MS just moved around, so it was difficult to track down until he was finally arrested at a mosque in Sakti District, Pidie Regency. While in that place, MS took care of the mosque," said Ujo Sujoto.

Meanwhile, the second action against P (41), a Bangladeshi citizen. P was arrested at a house in Gampong Pie, Meuraxa District, Banda Aceh City, on February 29, 2024. P lives in the house with his wife, a local resident.

"P was arrested because there was no residence permit in Indonesia. In addition, P entered Indonesia through Tanjung Balai, Asahan, North Sumatra, illegally. P has a passport, but his validity period ends in 2021. P has been living in the house since March 2023," he said.

MS was charged with violating Article 78 (3) of Law Number 6 2011 concerning immigration. The punishment for MS is deportation and prevention for six months or more.

"Meanwhile, P, violated Article 119 and Article 113 of Law Number 2011. P is threatened with crime for entering Indonesia illegally. Currently, both of them are still being investigated and detained in the detention room of the Banda Aceh Immigration Office," said Ujo Sujoto.