Appointed by Prabowo as Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam: It's Somewhat Sensitive, I Can't Answer

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko confirmed that he was appointed by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, as Director General of Immigration while the selection process was still underway.

Nevertheless, Hendarsam was reluctant to reveal the reasons why President Prabowo appointed him as Director General of Immigration in the midst of the selection process.

“It’s somewhat sensitive but I can’t answer, I won’t engage in polemics on that matter, perhaps it can be asked to the public relations section,” said Hendarsam, after the inauguration ceremony and oath-taking at the Ministry of Immigration, Jakarta, on Wednesday (1/4/2026).

Hendarsam stated that he was appointed by President Prabowo as Director General of Immigration on 29 December 2025 with the issuance of Presidential Decree (Keppres) Number 187/TPA and 188/TPA of 2025 concerning the Appointment of High Middle-Level Officials in the Environment of the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections.

“I’m focused on working and won’t get into any of that, polemics. Today right after this, I’ll get moving,” he said.

Previously, Gerindra Party politician and advocate Hendarsam Marantoko was officially inaugurated as Director General of Immigration on Wednesday (1/4/2026).

The oath-taking was led by Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Adrianto in the Jusuf Adiwinata Hall of the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, Jakarta.

Agus read the oath of office, which was followed by Hendarsam and Iwan Santoso, who was also inaugurated as Special Staff for Public Services and Legal Reform.

This inauguration and oath-taking ceremony was attended by several ministers and members of the DPR RI.

Among them were Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono, Chairman of the Gerindra Faction in the DPR RI Budisatrio Djiwandono, Chairman of Commission III of the DPR Habiburokhman, Chairman of the DPR MKD Zazaruddin Dek Gam, and Member of Commission X of the DPR Dhani Ahmad Prasetyo or commonly known as Ahmad Dhani.