Minister Imipas Affirms Immigration Of Foreigners Violating Procedures

JAKARTA - Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto emphasized that the Directorate General of Immigration continues to monitor every foreign national who tries to enter Indonesian territory by violating procedures.

Agus conveyed that the affirmation was in response to the case of three foreign nationals (WNA) from Pakistan who tried to enter through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport using a French passport that was allegedly fake.

"To prevent potential threats to national security, such as terrorism, transnational crime, or illegal immigration, foreigners who come with bad intentions and non-procedural methods will be the main targets of Immigration supervision," Agus said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, February 17.

Agus explained that Immigration carried out immigration supervision of foreigners, both before arrival and while in Indonesia. Immigration surveillance aspects remain a priority to accompany the development of autogate technology.

Meanwhile, Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration Jakarta Arief Munandar also emphasized his commitment to Immigration to safeguard the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.

"The Directorate General of Immigration will continue to improve itself, competence, professionalism, and maintain integrity in the enforcement of immigration law in order to maintain our sovereignty, security, and state order," said Arief.

Three Pakistani foreigners with the initials SZR, TS, and MZ flew from Lahore, Pakistan, to Bangkok, Thailand, and continued their journey to Jakarta. They arrived at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Arrival on Wednesday (12/2).

SZR, TS, and MZ are about to transit in Indonesia with their main destination to Europe, but that intention was not conveyed. They did not make it into Indonesia because the French passport used when passing the autogate engine was not detected.

After repeatedly trying to pass, the autogate engine cannot scan the passport used. Because it has not been detected, the immigration officer then became suspicious and carried out further examinations of the three Pakistani citizens.

The immigration authorities found that SZR, TS, and MZ turned out to be aimed at countries in Europe. They obtained a fake French passport from a Sri Lankan citizen with the initials WJ known from Facebook.

Three Pakistani foreigners agreed to pay US$1,000 or around Rp. 17 million to WJ in exchange for the French passport.

WJ advised SZR, TS, and MZ to transit in Indonesia before leaving for Europe. WJ also suggested that the three use Pakistani passports upon arrival in Thailand and be replaced with French passports upon arrival in Indonesia.

The three Pakistani foreigners are being investigated for alleged immigration crimes, namely the act of using fake travel documents. In addition, Immigration is also investigating the existence of its syndicate.

They were charged with Article 119 Paragraph (2) of Law Number 6 Year 2011 concerning Immigration with a maximum imprisonment of five years and a maximum fine of IDR 500 million.