55 Chinese Nationals Caught in Immigration Surveillance Operation in BSD

A total of 55 Chinese nationals were secured by investigators from the Directorate General of Immigration at the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Ditjenim Kemenimipas). The arrest of dozens of nationals from the Middle Kingdom began with a cyber patrol by Indonesian Immigration, which flagged indications of stay permit abuse by several foreign nationals at the construction site of the Sinarmas Plus data centre building, Smartfren Gallery, BSD, South Tangerang (Tangsel), Banten.

“There was an allegation of stay permit abuse at that project. So we conducted an investigation, identified a number of names, and only then did our team move to carry out the surveillance operation,” explained Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko, as quoted by detikcom from a written statement on Monday (7/9/2026).

The arrests took place on Thursday (3/9). Among the Chinese nationals secured were those with the initials FZ, HL, JY, SY and ZZ, holders of visit stay permits (ITK) sponsored by PT BOS.

Immigration officers also secured a Chinese national with the initials XX, holder of a multiple visit visa sponsored by PT WD. Additionally, Chinese nationals with the initials SJ, XB and ZP held visit visas without a sponsor.

Following the surveillance operation, 17 Chinese nationals holding Visit Stay Permits (ITK) based on Visa on Arrival (VoA) were detained and placed at the Jakarta Immigration Detention Centre (Rudenim). A further 27 PRC nationals holding ITKs were subjected to administrative sanctions in the form of passport detention (STP) for further examination, but were not detained.

“We conduct surveillance operations periodically to maintain order, provide a deterrent effect to prevent violations, and preserve public trust in Immigration,” said Hendarsam.

Immigration officers also detained the passports of four Chinese nationals holding ITKs sponsored by a company, but their whereabouts have not been found, so they have been placed on Immigration’s Subject of Interest (SOI) list. Finally, seven other Chinese nationals were subjected to administrative sanctions in the form of passport detention when encountered at the location. They are scheduled to be examined by Immigration on Wednesday (9/9).