DPR Backs Minister Agus, Calls for Total Immigration Digitalisation

Member of Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Yanuar Arif Wibowo has called for digital transformation within the Directorate General of Immigration to be implemented thoroughly to close opportunities for illegal levies while strengthening surveillance of people movement. According to him, this step is in line with the 15 Action Programmes of Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto, particularly the strengthening of digital-based immigration services and supervision of foreign nationals. Yanuar stated that digitalisation must no longer leave manual stages that could potentially open room for abuse of authority. “The idea of digitalisation is good. But there should be no more manual approval processes. All filing should be able to utilise technology, including AI for validation and confirmation, so that there are no more illegal levy practices,” Yanuar said when contacted. He reminded that immigration is Indonesia’s face to the world as well as the front line in safeguarding state sovereignty. Each year, around 25 million people enter and exit Indonesian territory, so the surveillance system must become increasingly modern and accountable. In addition to digitalisation, Yanuar supports the simplification of visa services, Golden Visas, and residence permits while still prioritising the principle of selectivity. According to him, Indonesia needs to attract investors and tourists who have a real impact on national economic growth, rather than opening opportunities for misuse of residence permits. “We want to ensure that people entering Indonesia have an impact on economic growth. Screening must be strengthened so that issues such as overstay or visa misuse for illegal work do not arise,” he said. Yanuar also reminded of the importance of a monitoring system for the length of stay of foreign nationals so that overstay violations can be prevented early. On the other hand, he appreciated the steps taken by the Directorate General of Immigration in tightening passport application checks to prevent the criminal act of human trafficking. According to him, examining travel purposes, interviewing applicants, and delaying passport issuance if suspicious indications are found are important steps in protecting Indonesian citizens. “Immigration is not just about pursuing Non-Tax State Revenue from visas, but also about safeguarding state sovereignty. Screening of every person entering Indonesia must be carried out properly, accompanied by strong integrity of the apparatus,” Yanuar said. In line with this, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections continues to push digital transformation as one of the priorities in Minister Agus Andrianto’s 15 Action Programmes. Digitalisation is directed at creating immigration services that are faster, easier, transparent, and accountable, while strengthening surveillance of people movement at entry points and within Indonesian territory. The Ministry is also continuously strengthening the electronic-based immigration service system, from passport services, visas, to residence permits. At the same time, supervision of foreign nationals is tightened through the use of information technology and strengthening inter-agency coordination to support a healthy investment climate and maintain state security and sovereignty. Through this transformation, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections targets increasingly professional public services, free from illegal levy practices, and capable of providing legal certainty for the public, business actors, and investors operating in Indonesia.