Batam Immigration Chief Removed Due to Tourist Extortion

The head of the Batam Class I Immigration Office in the Riau Islands, Hajar Aswad, has been temporarily deactivated from his position due to allegations of illegal levies, or pungli, against foreign tourists involving immigration officers at Batam Centre International Port. “Yes, that’s correct; the individual has been recalled to the central office for further examination,” stated the Head of the Riau Islands Immigration Directorate General Regional Office, Ujo Sujoto, when contacted in Tanjungpinang on Saturday, 4 April 2026. Additionally, an immigration officer in Batam with initials JS has also been deactivated for allegedly carrying out pungli against several foreign tourists at Batam Centre International Port. Currently, the Immigration Internal Compliance Directorate is delving deeper into the alleged pungli to uncover any potential involvement of other Batam immigration employees while on duty at the foreign national arrival gate. Ujo stated that they will soon appoint an Acting Head (Plh) of the Batam Immigration Office to replace the definitive head’s duties. “The Plh Head of Batam Immigration will be appointed on Monday (6/4),” he said. Ujo assured that the temporary recall of Immigration Chief Hajar Aswad to the central office will not disrupt public services at the Batam Immigration Office. He emphasised that the Riau Islands Immigration Directorate General Regional Office is directly supervising services at Batam Immigration. “The definitive head is still undergoing marathon examinations. Hopefully, it will be resolved quickly,” added Ujo. The alleged pungli case went viral on social media after a group of Singaporean tourists claimed they were asked for a sum of money by Batam immigration officers while passing through Batam Centre International Port on 13–14 March 2026.