Director-General of Immigration Affirms Indonesia Is Not a Safe Haven for Online Gambling

Yesterday we carried out early detection, in cooperation with the police, to enforce the law. In Batam there were 210 suspects; in West Jakarta there were 320, notably in the Hayam Wuruk area. There were also, although not large in number, six or seven people who were involved in scanning in a similar manner. So this is to show that firstly, detection; the state is firm, that our country is not a safe haven for places where people who are not beneficial to the nation operate, said Director-General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko to reporters in the Tanah Abang area, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (21/05/2026). Safe haven is an investment asset that is safe during global economic turmoil caused by a crisis or specific issue. Generally, safe havens do not experience much change even in difficult economic conditions. In this context, Hendarsam assured that Indonesia is not a safe place for online gambling activities. Hendarsam said that with the disclosure of this case, the Immigration Office communicates that Indonesia is not a country for foreign nationals who harm the nation. He said Indonesia is a country that is friendly to law-abiding foreign nationals. “When this message appears through law enforcement, we hope they will not seek other destinations, not to Indonesia. Our country is not a place for that; that is a clear message to us, friendly and law-abiding. Only those who are beneficial, foreign nationals who are beneficial and contribute in Indonesia can be here,” he said. Hendarsam confirmed that his agency will continue to monitor foreign nationals entering and leaving the Republic of Indonesia. He said the Immigration Office has a team that monitors foreign nationals entering Indonesia named Timpora. “Then, when (foreign nationals) enter, we monitor them; and when they leave again, we continue to monitor. Our function at the outset, and in supervision, is that we have Timpora, the Tim Pengawasan Orang Asing,” he added. As known, police previously arrested 321 people in a raid on the judol headquarters on Jalan Hayam Wuruk. The foreign nationals came from various countries. Director of General Crimes (Dirtipidum) of the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency, Brig. Gen. Wira Satya Triputra revealed that the foreign nationals were caught red-handed while operating the judol site on Thursday (7/5). Wira also revealed that the foreign nationals entered Indonesia using tourist visas.