Batam Immigration Admits Officer Engaged in Extortion Against Foreign National

The Head of the Riau Islands Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, Ujo Sujoto, led a clarification process alongside the Head of the Batam Immigration Office, Hajar Aswad, and a team from the Internal Compliance Directorate. This follows the viral posting by the Instagram account @mothershipsg on 25 March 2026, which featured a foreign national’s account of alleged extortion during an immigration examination in Batam.

In a press conference at the Batu Ampar Immigration Checkpoint Office on Sunday (29/3), Ujo explained that they had traced the report using crossing data and CCTV recordings.

A travel agent with initials AS is suspected of entering the examination area and demanding 250 Singapore dollars (Rp3.2 million) from the foreign national with initials NAY. Of that amount, approximately 150 Singapore dollars (Rp2 million) is alleged to have been handed over to one rogue officer in the examination room without the knowledge of direct superiors.

“Initial tracing results show one mismatched identity, while the other points to a foreign national from Myanmar with initials NAY who entered via Batam Center Port on 14 March 2026,” he told reporters.

From the examination results, it was found that NAY did not have a return ticket, one of the requirements for entry into Indonesian territory. The officer then directed the individual to a further examination room for in-depth checks. It was there that the extortion practice, which besmirches the nation’s name, occurred.

“This finding is still under investigation. We will not tolerate practices outside of regulations,” Ujo emphasised.