Riau Long Strait Immigration Checks 20 Stranded Bangladeshi Foreigners

20 foreign nationals (WNA) from Bangladesh who have been secured and taken to the Selatpanjang Immigration Office, Tuesday (4/2/2025). (ANTARA/Rahmat Santoso)

MERANTI - Selatpanjang Immigration, Meranti Islands Regency, Riau, conducted an examination of 20 Foreign Citizens from Bangladesh who were stranded on the Beting Beras Coast, Kuala Merbau Village, Pulau District in the early hours of Tuesday (4/2).

Head of Selatpanjang Immigration, Putu Sonny Kharmawi G, said the dozens of foreigners were brought by two local tekong people who are residents of Kedabu Meeting Village and Melai Village.

Sonny has not been able to confirm their final destination.

"They came to Indonesia using a residence permit for visits. But what is clear is that we are still in the initial and in-depth examination as well. I cannot confirm their purpose. Later, after the results are finished, we will convey it," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 4.

In addition to conducting inspections, the immigration authorities will temporarily entrust them to the Selatpanjang Penitentiary. This is because it is not adequate at the immigration office to accommodate dozens of foreigners from Bangladesh.

"I have coordinated with our colleague, the Head of the Selatpanjang Prison, that we will first entrust them (20 Bangladeshi foreigners) to the prison for a while. Because there is sufficient for placement," explained Putu Sonny.

Putu Sonny explained that the dozens of foreigners held passport documents used to enter abroad using illegal routes. But only 15 people still have passports, while the passports of 5 others were swept into the sea.

"Because they have passport documents, we plan to deport them to their country of origin in the future. If the lost passport is washed away, we will immediately report and coordinate it with the nearest embassy or consulate to replace the passport," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of Intel Dakim Section, Rianto Hendro Santoso, said that the deposit of 20 foreigners from Bangladesh in the Selatpanjang Prison is only temporary. Selatpanjang Immigration will first conduct inspections and in-depth related to where and where they will be taken.

"After we finish exploring and completing the administration, we will immediately move it to the Pekanbaru Immigration Detention Center in the context of deportation," said Rianto.