Batam Immigration Chief Removed Over Alleged Extortion of Singaporean Nationals at Port

The head of Batam City Immigration, Hajar Aswad, has been removed from his position following a case of alleged illegal levies (pungli) against Singaporean nationals at the Batam Centre International Port in the Riau Islands (Kepri). Hajar has been transferred to Jakarta for examination regarding the case.

“It is true that the (Batam Immigration Office Head) has been recalled to the centre for temporary assignment as part of further examination. This is part of the organisation’s responsibility and deepening by the Directorate of Internal Affairs,” said the Head of the Riau Islands Ministry of Law and Human Rights Regional Office, Ujo Sutejo, as reported by detikSumut on Friday (3/4/2026).

In addition to Hajar Aswad, several other officials from Batam City Immigration have been recalled to Jakarta, including the head of division, head of section, supervisor, and one immigration officer with initials JS.

“In total, five people, starting from the Kakanim (Immigration Office Head), Kabid (Head of Division), Kasi (Head of Section), supervisor, and one staff member with initials JS,” he said.

According to Ujo, Hajar and the other five individuals remain under examination status and are undergoing deepening processes in Jakarta. However, specifically for JS, the individual has been deactivated from their position.

“Their status is still under examination (all of them) because further examination is being conducted at the centre. For JS, they are currently non-job or no longer assigned at the port,” he explained.

Regarding the temporary replacement for the Batam Immigration Office Head, Ujo stated that no official appointment has been made yet. However, for the time being, he is directly handling internal coordination and control to ensure that supervision and public services continue to run smoothly.

“There is no replacement yet. For now, for supervision and control at Batam Immigration, I am leading it directly,” he said.