{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1641768,
        "msgid": "batam-immigration-admits-officer-engaged-in-extortion-against-foreign-national-1774785083",
        "date": "2026-03-29 18:26:00",
        "title": "Batam Immigration Admits Officer Engaged in Extortion Against Foreign National",
        "author": "Irvan Sihombing",
        "source": "MEDIA_INDONESIA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Legal",
        "summary": "The Batam Immigration Office has acknowledged that one of its officers allegedly extorted 150 Singapore dollars from a foreign national from Myanmar during an immigration check at Batam Center Port on 14 March 2026. The incident, which involved a travel agent demanding 250 Singapore dollars and passing part to the officer without superiors' knowledge, came to light after a viral Instagram post by @mothershipsg on 25 March 2026. Authorities are conducting further investigations and have vowed zero tolerance for such practices that tarnish the nation's reputation.",
        "content": "<p>The Head of the Riau Islands Regional Office of the Directorate\nGeneral of Immigration, Ujo Sujoto, led a clarification process\nalongside the Head of the Batam Immigration Office, Hajar Aswad, and a\nteam from the Internal Compliance Directorate. This follows the viral\nposting by the Instagram account <span class=\"citation\"\ndata-cites=\"mothershipsg\">@mothershipsg<\/span> on 25 March 2026, which\nfeatured a foreign national\u2019s account of alleged extortion during an\nimmigration examination in Batam.<\/p>\n<p>In a press conference at the Batu Ampar Immigration Checkpoint Office\non Sunday (29\/3), Ujo explained that they had traced the report using\ncrossing data and CCTV recordings.<\/p>\n<p>A travel agent with initials AS is suspected of entering the\nexamination area and demanding 250 Singapore dollars (Rp3.2 million)\nfrom the foreign national with initials NAY. Of that amount,\napproximately 150 Singapore dollars (Rp2 million) is alleged to have\nbeen handed over to one rogue officer in the examination room without\nthe knowledge of direct superiors.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cInitial tracing results show one mismatched identity, while the\nother points to a foreign national from Myanmar with initials NAY who\nentered via Batam Center Port on 14 March 2026,\u201d he told reporters.<\/p>\n<p>From the examination results, it was found that NAY did not have a\nreturn ticket, one of the requirements for entry into Indonesian\nterritory. The officer then directed the individual to a further\nexamination room for in-depth checks. It was there that the extortion\npractice, which besmirches the nation\u2019s name, occurred.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis finding is still under investigation. We will not tolerate\npractices outside of regulations,\u201d Ujo emphasised.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/batam-immigration-admits-officer-engaged-in-extortion-against-foreign-national-1774785083",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}