The Riau Islands Prosecutor's Office Is Investigating Allegations Of E-Ticketing Extortion At The Tanjungpinang SBP Port

A number of passengers access electronic ticket purchase machines or e-ticketing at the Tanjungpinang Sri Bintan Pura Port (SBP), Riau Islands, Wednesday (9/7/2025). ANTARA/Ogen

The Riau Islands High Prosecutor's Office (Kejati Kepri) is investigating allegations of illegal levies (extortion) on the application of an electronic ship ticket sales system or e-ticketing at the Tanjungpinang Sri Bintan Pura Port (SBP).

"This alleged extortion started with public reports and mass media coverage," said Head of the Legal Information Section of the Riau Islands Prosecutor's Office, Yusnar Yusuf, as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, July 9.

Yusnar said that currently the Special Criminal Assistant (Pidsus) investigation team of the Riau Islands Prosecutor's Office is collecting data and information materials (puldata and duet).

In addition, there are several people / parties who have been questioned by investigators, especially those related to the implementation of the e-ticketing system at the Tanjungpinang SBP Port.

However, Yusnar did not specify the names or parties questioned by investigators, including the chronology of alleged extortion to potential material losses due to the action.

"For the loss, we are still waiting for the results of the puldata and the duet," said Yusnar.

The system-ticketing at Tanjungpinang SBP Port is managed by vendor PT Mitra Kasih Perkasa (MKP) in collaboration with PT. Pelindo, KSOP and shipping operators operating at the port.

Meanwhile, Public Relations official of PT MKP Evangelia Pranoto admitted that his company had nothing to do with the alleged extortion being investigated by the Riau Islands Prosecutor's Office.

"We (MKP) are just facilitating. When it comes to the alleged extortion, we can ask for information from other related parties," said Evangelia.

A total of four units of e-ticketing machines have been installed at the Tanjungpinang SBP Port since 2024, but these machines often do not work and are difficult for people/passengers to access.

Until now, there are still many passengers who buy tickets manually at the SBP port counter, but the irony is that ship passengers are still subject to an administrative fee of around Rp. 1,500 to Rp. 2,000 per person under the pretext of cost-ticketing, even though they do not use the electronic ticket service.